KEY POINTS:
Anne Herbert thinks Tatlock will be flying as a 5-year-old. Actually, he already is.
If he improves on what he did at Matamata on Saturday Tatlock is going to be a very serious sprinter. He clocked a swift 1.8.94 for 1200m and did it comfortably.
Herbert started the season with Tatlock determined to keep him away from the top company, which is why she is tossing up whether to run him in the $70,000 Darley Plate, a 1200m weight-for-age sprint at Ellerslie next Saturday.
"A 4-year-old career is a tough time for a horse. That's why I was keen to keep him away from the best horses until his next preparation. I reckon he'll really fly as a 5-year-old - this family comes right at five."
Herbert said she was tempted to give Tatlock just this one crack at the good horses next week.
"I know there'll be Gee I Jane and Solvini, but I'm thinking about it."
Tatlock had experienced a tough run of bad luck, but it all fell his way on Saturday.
He got an untested lead when Buddy Lammas on Volscar dropped behind, with perhaps just a touch of help from Reese Jones as he crossed Tatlock to the rail before the end of the back straight.
Tatlock was bolting in front on the home bend and it was clear it would take an exceptional effort to pick him up. Inshelucky tried hard, but was never a chance.
Reese Jones is a big fan.
"He's got too many wheels for them."
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Everyone wants to win a group one, Paul Beamish REALLY wants to win one.
If El Cuento can win the $175,000 Ford Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday week Beamish believes he will have completely turned around an unfortunate situation.
Beamish and ownership partner Kevin Thompson bought El Cuento for $40,000 at the Magic Millions June sale on the Gold Coast just to flick him on for a profit.
"But he got a throat infection before the breeze-up sale and we sent him straight back here to Jim [Collett] to get him up to win a trial here and sell.
"He won his trial so impressively we decided to keep him and if he wins a group one he's going to have a chance of becoming a stallion prospect.
"So that's the scenario we're running with at the moment."
Collett trained and rode El Cuento and has a high opinion of the colt.
"There's improvement in him for Ellerslie - the question is how much," he said as he dismounted.
Beamish said the moment El Cuento shows any sign of dropping his form index he and Thompson will sell the colt to Hong Kong.
"We're traders," said Beamish.
D'Elcatraz fought bravely for his second and Pierre Joseph once again showed he has massive potential by coming from the tail of the field to finish third.
"He's trying to do more than he's capable of doing," said trainer Stephen McKee.
Pierre Joseph drew wide when he finished second to Crossyourheart on debut at Ellerslie and hit the ground last from the outside gate on Saturday.
"A decent draw would make a difference," said McKee.
The Redoute's Choice colt gives the impression he'll improve with each run.
"He'll be right when he gets the 1400m of the Sires at Palmerston North and even over 1200m at Ellerslie he'll be able to sit two or three lengths off them if he gets a decent draw."
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Sharvasti looked to be in good shape for the $200,000 Starcraft Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday week when galloping between races on Saturday with Santagostino.
Sharvasti was slightly ahead and going comfortably after running the last 800m of 1200m in 46.25, the 600 in 34.62.
"She felt good," said rider Noel Harris. He and trainer John Sargent believe Sharvasti will be better next preparation, but she is going well enough to be a threat in the Starcraft.
