Racing: Trial eases trainer's worries with leading filly

Canterbury horseman Mark Jones has been sleeping a lot easier since last Saturday.

That was when a private Alexandra Park workout eased his concerns about the next phase of Shezoneoftheboyz's career, which starts tonight.

The wonderful filly again headlines a vintage crop of 3-year-old trotters in the $70,000 Sires' Stakes and while she has looked the best of her bunch trainer-driver Jones had his concerns when he sent her north last week.

"To be honest she hadn't been as good working right-handed down home as left-handed," said Jones.

"But she had a private workout at Alexandra Park last Saturday and she was fine, almost as good as left-handed.

"After that, I feel a lot better and I don't think the track will be an issue this week."

Shezoneoftheboyz is rated a freak by Jones with her only defeat in six starts coming when she galloped in the NZ Oaks last start.

But Jones says that was "trainer error".

"I blame myself because I had her shod a few days before the race and I pulled her head up around at the start before the race and she hung in, instead of out.

"But I am not worried about her galloping again."

Shezoneoftheboyz has already beaten the best of her age in the Hambletonian and NZ Derby but meets all the big names tonight, with several of them drawn inside her.

"There are some very good horses in this crop but I am not so worried about the draw because in trotting races the field tends to open up more and you can go forward and still get into the line somewhere."

Emma Hamilton was enormous winning the Oaks and has the advantage of Alexandra Park experience, while The Fiery Ginga is a true warhorse who deserves to win a decent race.