Racing: Time for a change of luck

Unlucky runners have featured in every group one race this summer.

But none was more adversely affected than El Bulli in the Oaks at Trentham last start.

The Zabeel filly will be trying to put the record straight for owners Peter and Philip Vela when she tackles tomorrow's $100,000 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Classic.

El Bulli was swung sideways when the Oaks field tightened approaching the home turn at Trentham and from that point was effectively out of the race.

There is generally a little good in every piece of bad and the positive here is that El Bulli did not have a gut-busting 2400m, which can often make it hard to freshen sufficiently in time for this 2000m race.

Hayden Tinsley pulled El Bulli out of the Oaks at the interference, which means in real terms she ran only 2000m.

El Bulli looks a filly on the improve, but has similarly emerging talents Tusker and Sahara Flight to dispose of.

The Murray Baker-trained pair come off different approaches. Sahara Flight elevated a lot of blood pressure when she shot to what looked a winning break 350m out in the Oaks. She was reined in, first by winner Justa Tad, and wound up third - a very tidy performance.

Tusker has yet to race beyond 1600m, but Baker has no concerns.

"She's out of a daughter of Horlicks and everything she's done suggests she will run a distance."

Leith Innes rode both fillies last start and has been engaged for Sahara Flight, which could be the stable tip. Baker is not worried about Sahara Flight dropping back in distance.

"We've freshened her and she's got a very good turn of foot. She's very honest."