Racing: Track to suit Star Day

The easy track should play into the hands of Star Day at Ellerslie this afternoon.

The underrated mare turned in a blinder for second to Darcybee on this track last start when coming back from a short break. She was held up slightly in the home straight and flew late.

Track conditions today should be enough to take the brilliance out of the leaders and that will suit Star Day's stout finishing style in Race 6.

Mr Multiwin (No5, R8) has not looked like losing one of the four races he has contested since coming back from Hong Kong and a broken leg. This is a huge step up in class, but it's doubtful that will stop him. Sovereign (No2) is racing's most improved horse.

Winning Kid (No8, R1) looks a good bet in the first, partly because there is little strength among the opposition. He has been getting home strongly over 1400m and the step to 1600m is what he has been looking for.

Run Like The Wind (No1, R2) can do just that. The No1 barrier draw might not be ideal if the track is cutting up close to the rails, but if his rider can work him away from the fence under those circumstances, he should prove difficult to contain. Rosetti Bay (No3) is another by Pins showing promise. She has won in soft ground so the conditions should not trouble her.

Taat Lass (No6, R3) is another who has won on a rain-affected track and might cap off a big weekend for trainer Lance O'Sullivan.

Crusoe (No5, R4) produced a remarkable performance when third on debut at Te Aroha. He was badly checked early, got back to last and flew home to run one of the smartest sectionals seen for a while. If unaffected by that hard run, he will go close with the right luck in the 2-year-old race. That was no fluke win by Waikeepadacash (No2) here last week. He appreciated the slight easing of the footing and should like this surface even more.

Licensed To Thrill (No9, R5) showed she can race well fresh when she turned in good runs in the early spring. She has had a mid-summer break and can go close here at useful odds. Sonoma (No10) slipped last start here in January, which followed some pretty smart form. Do not leave her out.

The easy track should suit Nyneleven (No4, R9). He has been unlucky not to win one lately and meets a field here he can cope with if he gets luck.

An even field in the last and Raphael (No12, R10) can break through. As a back runner he makes things difficult for himself, but can storm home when conditions suit.