Racing: Track no worry for Seachange

Waikato trainer Ralph Manning is more concerned about the barrier draw for Seachange in today's Guineas than the likelihood of a dry track.

Seachange is unbeaten in three starts and track conditions on each occasion have been rain-affected.

The Riccarton track is expected to be rated good today but Manning was placing little emphasis on that.

"It won't worry her," Manning said. "Her work's always better on firm ground."

That's not to say Manning is convinced Seachange will be able to cope with a succession of races on summer tracks.

"I don't think she will want to be going all the way through summer because she hasn't got the best front legs," he said.

"Obviously we would have liked a little bit of jar out of the ground for tomorrow but one run on it, it won't worry her."

Seachange has drawn 14 in a field of 17 and that had more question marks for Manning.

"The track's not one of our worries. Probably the draw is a bigger worry than that."

Seachange has raced in the first half of the field in her three starts to date and Manning said she would need luck in the early stages to get a good position.

"You always have to have a bit of luck. Hopefully there's a bit of speed on, so it can string the field out a bit."

Manning said it was difficult to be confident in a group one race but was more than happy with the way the Cape Cross filly had settled in since arriving in Christchurch on Tuesday.

"It's a group one race, you don't get confident. But I couldn't be happier with the horse. She's done everything right down here."

What he's more confident about is Seachange's ability to step up.

"She's an amazing filly. She's got an amazing temperament. Everything you ask of her, she just keeps on improving," he said.

"We don't know how good she is. She just gets to the front and does it that easily every time."

An indication of the potential she is showing is that Queensland apprentice Gavin McKeon is returning for the mount.

McKeon rode Seachange to win her first race at Paeroa on September 17. He then extended his New Zealand one-month stint by a week to ride her at her second start at Otaki on October 8 and made a special trip back to New Zealand to combine for a third win at Trentham on October 22.

"He obviously rates her to the max," Manning said of McKeon who will stay in Christchurch for cup week.

Seachange remained at attractive odds of $9 last night on the New Zealand TAB's fixed-odds market.

A warm favourite, at $3.25, was the Lance O'Sullivan-trained Tsarina Belle.

Tsarina Belle has won only one race from five starts but was most impressive when clearing maidens at Te Rapa on September 7. She has finished second in two subsequent starts and was impressive at the last of them.

That was in the Sarten Memorial (1400m) for 3-year-olds at Te Rapa on October 24 when producing a big finish for a half-head second to Pulcinella.

Pulcinella is again a rival and was fourth favourite at $8.50 while the second and third favourites were Shikoba ($6.50) and Howmuchyacharging ($8).

- NZPA