Racing: Sydney speedster's Railway victory ignored by punters

SYDNEY - Sydney sprinter A Gold Trail's win at Ellerslie has failed to convince New Zealand punters he can repeat the dose later this month.

The NZ TAB has the speedster on the fourth line of betting for the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham on January 23.

A Gold Trail sped across from a wide barrier to lead the Railway Stakes field last Saturday and held off the finishing burst of Atapi.

The win was a special one for trainer Gary Portelli who made no secret of how his horse would run the race.

"It was a great thrill and even more special because I just love the horse," Portelli said. "He is just a pleasure to have in the stable.

"It was even more satisfying because everyone I spoke to in New Zealand told me he couldn't win from the barrier.

"But I knew he had the speed to get across and, ridden properly, as he was, he could hold them off.

"Sprint races are run differently in Australia, it's all about speed from the first furlong [200m] and that's what I was counting on.

"They say Trentham is a faster track and the faster they go, the further he'll win by."

The NZ TAB has Melbourne sprinter Lucky Secret the $5 favourite ahead of last year's winner Mufhasa at $5.50, Wealth Princess at $6 with A Gold Trail at $7 alongside in-form Riccarton sprinter Coup Align.

Michael Rodd rode A Gold Trail on Saturday but Portelli was unsure whether he would be able to make the trip to Wellington.

"Michael may have a commitment to the Mark Kavanagh stable," Portelli said.

"But I don't think I'll have too much trouble finding a jockey."

A Gold Trail is being cared for in Cambridge by Murray and Bjorn Baker.

The Railway was A Gold Trail's first win over 1200m with his other six successes over 1100m.

"In the past we've trained him more for 1100m but I've always believed he could get the extra distance," Portelli said. "And I'm confident he can do it again."

Justifier has pleased Sydney trainer Greg Hickman since her torrid run last start and is poised to strike at Randwick today.

The Catbird mare lines up in the Coogee Handicap (1300m) on the Kensington track.

She comes into the race after making up plenty of ground when fifth to Fabella at Canterbury over 1100m on December 23 in a race which ended better than it started for Justifier.

She stood awkwardly in the gates and was slow to begin and shortly after the start was bumped by Shameless which caused her to become unbalanced and lose ground.

Justifier was last of the 12 runners at the 400m before she balanced up and stretched out nicely in the run home at her first run back after a 21-week spell.

"It was a super run the other day and I don't think she'll be far off the money," Hickman said.

Four-year-old Justifier has won two of her seven starts including a victory over 1300m at Warwick Farm in July.

Apprentice Tommy Berry, who rode in her only city win, partners Justifier at Randwick.

The youngster's 2kg claim brings Justifier into the race with 55.5kg.

Justifier has drawn barrier 10 of 12 but Hickman has no concerns about the wide gate because the horse is so tractable.

"It's not a problem. She's a pretty versatile horse and I think if they go a hundred miles an hour she can be back a bit or if they walk she'll be there with them," Hickman said.

Stablemate Bikram was another who raced without luck last time out.

The 4-year-old suffered a minor injury when seventh to Stratofortress at Canterbury on December 23.

Bikram hit the running rail near the 600m and sustained a laceration to the near-hind pastern.

"It was nothing serious in the end and he's worked very good since," Hickman said, ahead of the gelding's run in today's Bronte Hcp (1550m).

"He's been going pretty good this time in but we just haven't had anything go our way, maybe that will change in this race."

- AAP