Racing: Tough workhorse definitely the filly to beat

Mark Walker doesn't want to look at his training book when it comes to Shikoba.

The book tells him he brought Shikoba into work for her current campaign on June 1 last year.

The talented filly is heading for Filly Of The Year honours at Te Rapa today and has never looked like flagging on her preparation.

"She's given me no signs of wanting to knock off," said Walker.

Which means Shikoba is definitely the horse to beat in today's $100,000 Sir Tristram Fillies' Classic.

Pulcinella was Shikoba's arch rival in two starts over the Ellerslie carnival, and she was unable to head off the other filly in either race. Again she will be a worthy opponent in this afternoon's encounter.

Luck was against Pulcinella in the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham and there was a lot to like about her close, fighting third. From her inside barrier you can imagine Noel Harris being able to secure her a nice cosy passage behind the speed and coming out and attacking late, which she was not able to do at Trentham.

Couple this pair up with Out Of Align and Everswindell in multiples.

Mark Walker should have an enormous day, right at a time when Te Akau is looking to place some of the yearlings it purchased at Karaka.

City Of Auckland Cup winner Zarius (No1) has to lump 59.5kg topweight in Race 2, but is down in class from his big win.

Class should prevail here and the short odds are the way to go.

Arlingtonboulevard (No1, R4) is making a fresh start after beating a classy line-up at New Plymouth late in September. Walker rates the mare one of the real improvers on the way through, and expects her to be fresh enough for the 1200m today. Troy Harris takes 2kg off her 58kg topweight and that should be enough. She can get back in her races and will be suited by the small field to get around. Free Sea (No2) is running solid enough races to suggest she could be the quinella result.

It's not impossible for Walker to win the two group one features with Distinctly Secret and Darci Brahma. Darci Brahma (No8, R9) looks a good thing in the sprint and Distinctly Secret (No2, R7) was a tragedy beaten when a close fourth after being allowed to drop off the field by four lengths in the Trentham Stakes last start.

Bazelle (No8) looks the obvious favourite for the Whakanui ahead of Kind Return (No9), Tusker (No10) and Distinctly Secret (No2).

If Gee I Jane (No7, R9) and Sedecrem (No2) share the placings with Darci Brahma in the big sprint the trifecta will be a round of drinks. Your only hope is to declare which one will run second and take a big, straight trifecta.

The Silence Sir (No4, R6) looked a touch unlucky in a special maiden event at Trentham on Wellington Cup day. In a very competitive field he was late getting into clear space and made good ground late to be narrowly beaten into third. This field is no stronger and having already performed well at Te Rapa, he makes a fair bit of appeal to win his first race. There are plenty of chances with Sphenophyta (No1) and Kincert (No3) strong possibilities for a trifecta berth.

If Pentane (No1, R8) is going to justify being as short as $3 favourite for the $600,000 Skycity Auckland Cup then he can shoulder his 58kg to success in a Rating 94 event today. He successfully managed the same weight on this track last start. If you can take $3 about him in the big Ellerslie race - a ridiculously short price three weeks out from the race - then you can take the $1.75 for him today.