Racing: Unlucky St Beune hard to beat

Salvatore has been devastating lately. Photo / Christine Cornege

There hasn't been a bigger certainty beaten this season than St Beune on debut at Ellerslie three weeks ago.

The long-striding 3-year-old struck more trouble in running than you could have imagined and was still beaten less than half a length, getting home strongly.

Even though the race contains four horses that have won two races each, they will have to work to beat him from a good barrier in Race 7 at Tauranga today.

If his trials performances are any guide they might also have to work hard to beat a debut runner in Dragon Knight (No7, R1). He has won both his barrier trials narrowly, but impressively. The Falkirk 3-year-old is Hong Kong owned and we might not see him in New Zealand for long.

Once More (No10, R4) should be tried once more. You don't like to see maidens record lots of minor placings - it generally points to only fair ability - but Once More looks like a win waiting to happen. She covered a fair amount of extra ground last start and was still only narrowly beaten at Ellerslie. She has drawn slightly wider than you'd prefer again, but with a bit better run she should go close.

Cheeky Red (No2, R5) is coming in fresh and has won in that state previously. She has plenty of speed and has the perfect barrier (No3) to take advantage of it here. Make A Wish (No5) and Fledgling (No3) for the multiples.

Guru's Dream (No2, R6) created a huge impression in winning on debut at Rotorua. He has drawn a wide gate here, but at Rotorua he came from the outside of 13 horses to lead and win by four lengths, so that's unlikely to be an issue. He could be pretty good.

Spare A Fortune (No3, R8), Salvatore (No2) and Lady Chaparral (No12) look the ones in the big race, but can you ever count Sir Slick out?

Spare a Fortune remains underrated even after a terrific run of form and has a lovely barrier. So does Salvatore, who has been devastating lately. As a three-win horse, Lady Chaparral is badly off in the weights at weight-for-age, but has plenty of ability. Sir Slick has won five at Tauranga and 13 at the 1600m distance. Do you need to know more?

Heredity (No3, R9) has been relatively lightly tried. He has plenty of pace for a Yamanin Vital and the 1600m distance here should suit. He will be improved for his first-up run at Paeroa. Blonde Bombshell (No5) and Bubbles (No6) are not out of it.

The Terminator (No7, R10) is heading places as his first-up Pukekohe win suggests. He can get back though and sometimes those horses can get into trouble. With a free run he'll go close to winning this, but for insurance cover the bet on Walk Away (No2), particularly on the quinella. He also has a staying future.

Shantaine (No14, R11) was backed and beaten at Ellerslie when resuming, but it wasn't a bad effort. She should be improved and from a nice gate should get the perfect run.

* At Riccarton We Can Say It Now (No5, R6) remains the anchor in the $300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas. She is an exceptional filly and bad luck seems to be her main danger. With even luck she will go close. Stablemate Twilight Savings (No2) needed last week's 2000 Guineas, yet still nearly tore it off and will be fitter this time. The surprise could be Banchee (No4), who has not shown her true form in two starts so far this season, but is capable of a major turnaround. Magic Briar (No10) for decent place odds.

Shaune Ritchie won last year's NZ Cup and he's going to go close again with the two favourites, Nightime Jockey (No11, R8) and Roi d'jeu (No9) engaged. The TAB has Nightime Jockey clear favourite, but there may not be much between the pair. Roi d'jeu was unlucky in the lead-up Metrop last week and is this column's pick. Blood Brother (No8) was impressive winning the Metrop when not expected to manage the wet track and Backup (No5) will give a good sight at around $10 and Wotabuzz (No16) is the longshot place hope. In the supporting races Thundermore (No10, R1) and Caley Marie (No9, R2) could be useful early.

* The late tip yesterday was that the predicted rain for Sandown in Melbourne overnight last night and today won't be anywhere near as bad as first thought. Which means the favourite Zipping will still be in play to try and win his fourth straight Sandown Classic.

The rain would have helped New Zealand's Ginga Dude only in that it would have put Zipping out of play. Ginga Dude does not need it wet, but can handle it. He once again is a great each-way bet in today's big race in Melbourne.