Racing: Track just what Dr ordered

Cambridge trainer Brian Jenkins has never believed Dr Green is just a speed machine and the colt gets a chance to prove it going 1320m fresh from a spell in tomorrow's $35,000 Wanganui Guineas.

Dr Green has not raced beyond 1200m and a stakes race at 1320m is a stern test in his first race since mid-March.

But class in a racehorse overcomes a lot of things.

"I haven't framed a firm opinion on what his optimum distance will be, but I wouldn't rule out him running 2000m - his old man Fusaichi Pegasus won over 2000m as an early 3-year-old," said Jenkins.

Jenkins says he understands the opinion that Dr Green is simply a speed freak, but says it is erroneous.

"It came about because he hared away in front in his winning debut at Otaki.

"The whole thing was a muck-up once they transferred the race from Trentham to Otaki.

"For whatever reason they placed the starting stalls wide on the track and away from the inside running rail.

"He drew No 1 and when the start was made there was no rail inside him and he jumped outwards towards the other horses.

"Mark [du Plessis] lost an [stirrup] iron and it took him 400m to get it back, by which time Dr Green was eight lengths in front. It was his first start and it taught him to get running from the gates, which was not what we'd wanted."

Dr Green did the same at Ellerslie at his next start, then when he went to Sydney for the Golden Slipper campaign, outside barrier draws hampered him.

"We were after stakemoney to get into the Slipper so he had to go forward, which meant he was kicked up and he raced on the bit.

"He was always a tractable horse in training and still is. I'm not at all worried that he'll continue to be a horse that will overrace."

In terms of class, Dr Green looks on a different level to his opposition.

He showed he was competitive with some of Sydney's better juveniles, something none of his rivals tomorrow would ever have been capable of.

Hayden Tinsley has the ride and few jockeys are better at harnessing brilliance to conserve something for a finishing effort.

Kenny Starfighter and Sandelli are two of the main rivals.

Kenny Starfighter showed real talent to push Final Reality close in his first two races then got his turn to win the 3 and 4-year-old feature at New Plymouth two weeks ago.

All three races have been on heavy tracks and it will be interesting to see how he fares in what will be a totally different affair as a speed race on a dead surface.

He tends to get back in his races and if he is six lengths off Dr Green on the home bend he will face a mammoth task unless Dr Green's condition gives out late in the race.

Kenny Starfighter's ability, as he showed at New Plymouth, is to maintain a relentless finish.

The 1320m distance will help him there.

Sandelli made a big impression in his winning debut at Foxton in mid-August.

"He's certainly still on the way up and he's still green - he hasn't clicked into what it's all about yet - but I think an awful lot of him," said trainer Stephen Marsh.

"Horses like Dr Green are more experienced, but my horse has got tons of ability.

"We've beaten Kenny Starfighter at the trials, but he's really stepped up to the plate since. He's had three starts and we've had just one.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Sandelli won, but I'm not expecting it. If he runs a place I'll be delighted."

Marsh believes Sandelli is deserving of a group one campaign.

"After this I'd like to give him a short break and set him specifically for the Bayer Classic.

"I wouldn't take him down south for the 2000 Guineas, I'd aim solely for the Bayer. He needs to run 1,2,3 in this race to put that in place."

Wanganui Guineas

* Dr Green reappears after a headlining 2-year-old season.

* This will be his first start since the Golden Slipper in Sydney.

* He has yet to run beyond 1200m and faces a 1320m test fresh from a spell.

* The dead Wanganui track should play in his favour.