By MIKE DILLON
There is a chance New Zealand racegoers may get a chance to see Sunline this preparation after all.
The chanmpion mare's gallop at Takanini this morning will determine where she resumes her spring campaign and it may be at Hastings.
Sunline was due to resume in the Warwick Stakes in Sydney next Saturday but co-trainer Trevor McKee has become increasingly concerned over the state of the Warwick Farm track, which has been taking a heavy workload in recent months.
"With the AJC closing Randwick to put tunnells under the track, Warwcik Farm has had to handle all the Randwick meetings, which means it's copping twice the amount of normal racing," said McKee last night.
"Watching the racing there last week it was clear they have filled the holes with sand, but it is very loose footing and I was not prepared to risk her on that."
McKee had decided to switch instead to the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley in Melbourne next week when he got a call yesterday to say the Warwick Farm meeting had been transferred to the Canterbury track.
"I'll see how she works in the morning.
"If I'm happy with her fitness it will be either the Manikato or the Warwick Stakes and if I feel she needs another week I'll take her to Hastings for the Mudgway Stakes."
Meanwhile, Sunline and Sydney's favourite stayer Tie The Knot were the major winners at the New South Wales Racehorse Owners Association awards this week.
Sunline, who is the overwhelming favourite to be named Australian Horse of the Year later this month, was named the Best New Zealand Bred Horse to race in New South Wales last season and also the Best Sprinter-Miler.
Tie The Knot also gained two awards for four-year-olds and over as the Best Middle Distance runner and Best Stayer.
Last week Sunline topped the Australia-New Zealand classifications for 1999-2000 rating 62kg for her wins in the Cox Plate, Coolmore Classic and All-Aged Stakes.
Tie The Knot bounced back in the autumn to win the Chipping Norton Stakes, Ranvet Stakes and Mercedes Classic after running second to Sunline in the Cox Plate in the spring.
The two are set to clash again in this year's Cox Plate.
Tie The Knot will step out in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on August 25 in preparation for his first spring start in the Theo Marks Quality at Rosehill on September 9.
Doomben 10,000 winner Mr Innocent, trained by Mal Gerrard, is the NSW Country Champion.
Dual group one winner Assertive Lad was named the Best Two-Year-Old while AJC Australian Derby winner Fairway took out the title for Three-Year-Olds.
Racing: Star may start at home
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