Racing: Trentham needs dry day out for premier meet

Mark Walker is one of racing's greatest horse managers.

Which is a good thing because he has what looks like a logistical problem from hell with Darci Brahma this weekend.

Yet he's never been more relaxed.

Walker needs a good surface to run Darci Brahma in his desired option, tomorrow's $60,000 Wellington Breeders Guineas at Trentham.

Rain on a firm track at Trentham yesterday introduced an element of doubt.

Walker's first alternative was to run the valuable colt at Rangiora on Sunday, but that option expired at 3.30am this morning, the deadline to put Darci Brahma on a float at his current Otaki base and make the only available Cook Strait ferry crossing.

"But the weather forecast for Canterbury is no better than it is for the North Island," said Walker yesterday.

If Walker canned the South Island avenue he said he could (1) run at Wellington, (2) float Darci Brahma back north and run in the $20,000, 1400m 3-year-old race at Te Rapa on Monday, or (3) not run at all this weekend.

Like most of the top 3-year-olds, Darci Brahma's big mission is the $300,000 Christchurch Casino 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, but Walker believes not running this weekend will have no detrimental affect on his star's preparation for Riccarton.

"If he doesn't run Saturday, Sunday and Monday, I can still have him ready for Christchurch. I'm not pulling my hair out or anything, I'm very relaxed about it. There are barrier trials at Te Aroha and he can have a run there."

So the weather makes the play as to where or whether Darci Brahma is seen before the 2000 Guineas.

"You'd just love to see a good track for Wellington - there are some great match-ups in the races on Saturday," said Walker.

"They are trying really hard at the club and I'd love to see them have a great day."

Walker's three other features at Trentham, 2-year-old Don Garcia, Maroofity and Amazing One will definitely run.

Don Garcia made a stunning winning debut at Hastings on September 17, exciting even his normally circumspect trainer. "Rain, hail or snow he'll run. I think he's so big and strong that he'll get through any wet ground."

Walker believes former Hong Kong galloper Amazing One will probably not mind a bit of rain, but he's not so sure about Maroofity in the $100,000 group one Captain Cook Stakes.