Racing: Tai Chi Queen draws well

Wingatui trainer Shane Anderton. Photo / Supplied

Tai Chi Queen is in line for her third win at a premier meeting today at Wingatui.

The 6-year-old mare, trained at Awapuni by Mike Breslin, has Rating 90 wins in 1200m races at premier meetings at Awapuni (her last start) and Riccarton among her seven wins.

The registered James Hazlett Stakes is a listed 1200m race.

"She has a good weight [58.5kg] for her first start in open company but that might be more a reflection of the field," Breslin said.

"But she won really well at her last start, and has a good draw [one]."

Stable apprentice Rosie Myers, who rode Tai Chi Queen at her last start, has retained the mount.

Grasse, who is in receipt of 3.5kg from Tai Chi Queen, has much to recommend her.

She was a last-start winner at Riccarton and has won two of her four starts at Wingatui. She is trained by Peter and Dawn Williams, who have won the Hazlett Stakes three times in the past five years.

King Montrose is a ready-made favourite for the Dunedin Cup.

He won the Dunedin Cup Trial (2000m) at Riccarton last Saturday, his fourth win in five starts since he was tried in blinkers.

He won first up with the gear change at Wingatui. His apprentice rider KC Walters has also been in good form.

Borninthestates, winner of the 2008 Dunedin Cup under 58kg, is back today with 59kg.

Lisa Allpress, who rode the 8-year-old to finish fifth in the Wellington Cup, has the mount. David Walsh, who rode him in 2008, is aboard stablemate Chase The Sun.

Woodyeva is a promising young stayer on the minimum of 53kg. He won over 2000m at Riccarton last Saturday and has won twice at Wingatui. His apprentice rider Shankar Muniandy continues his association with Inferno in the White Robe Lodge Handicap. He has ridden the mare in her seven wins.

Inferno, trained at Wingatui by Brian and Shane Anderton, has been freshened for the 1600m since a runaway win in the Clare Memorial Cup (2000m) on January 3.

She had won the Kurow Cup (1800m) four days earlier.

"The race at Omakau never worried her and she has been freshened to come back to a mile. It is a group race, which would help her for breeding," Shane Anderton said.

The stable has won the race with A Gordon For Me (1992 and 1993) and Perceptible (2002).

Hold It Harvey, brilliant winner of the race last year, has the same weight, 58.5kg today, with Jamie Bullard back in the saddle.

Draconic staked his claim with a win in the Timaru Stakes (1400m ) at Riccarton last Saturday. Hold It Harvey won the Timaru/White Robe double last year.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock said he would delay a decision as long as possible on a start for Faxed in the Dunedin Guineas.

"He needs a good track."

Faxed ran seventh behind Jimmy Choux in the Wellington Stakes at his last start when unsuited to the rain-affected track. He won on a dead-track at Otaki at his previous start.

He has been ridden in his two wins by Lisa Allpress. She had a commitment to ride Aluminium Bikerack for the Michael Pitman stable and Paul Taylor has been engaged for Faxed.