Laing says Veyron is so big he struggles fitting into the starting stalls used by Tauranga and once again he hurt himself leaving them.
"He went down behind and his near back leg cut the other leg and he came back with blood streaming down the leg."
Laing is also of the opinion that rain close to the race did not suit Veyron at Tauranga.
One of the telling stats for this race is Veyron's nine wins at Ellerslie, another is that because of the special conditions of this race he carries only 57kg. The race is at set weights and penalties and his list of group one victories does not count in his handicap, only his victory in Australia over Streama.
"There should be more races like this," says Laing.
The danger could be this year's Wellington Cup winner, Graphic, who turned in a terrific fresh-up fourth behind Pinzarra in a sharp 1400m at Ellerslie.
He might quickly need a distance longer than tomorrow's 1600m, but a significant stat is that he is unbeaten in two runs at the journey.
Co-trainer Chad Ormsby is very happy with the condition of Graphic since his first-up run.
It may pay to completely forget the beaten run by Biologist in the Couplands Bakeries Mile at Riccarton last start.
His earlier smart form is much more significant and although he does not come into this particularly well in the weights at 55.5kg - only 1.5kg less than Veyron - he deserves consideration.
Deane Martin is another dual 1600m winner, but he is coming off the 2400m of the Metropolitan in Sydney and reverting that far back is never easy, although it was nearly two months ago, which will help.
The barrier draws might be the difference between Stephen Marsh's pair Thee Auld Floozie and Liten Prinsessa in the $50,000 Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO.
Both fillies are unbeaten in two starts this preparation, but Thee Auld Floozie has drawn favourably at No 2 and Liten Prinsessa has to overcome slot No 10.
In this field that should make a big difference.
Thee Auld Floozie has impressively won two races at Tauranga and looks headed for a high ranking this season.
"She's an improving filly and she's improved since she won last start," said Marsh yesterday.
Marsh said Liten Prinsessa would go forward early from her wide gate, which means her chances depend on where she is able to settle in the leading group.
Ambitious Unicorn and Smarts Encosta have caught the eye in their winning debut runs and look capable of taking this next step.
Passing Shot, Flavigny, Ezra and Tavy help construct a strong field.
Meanwhile, at Otaki today, Marsh's sprinter Barbaric is going to take beating in the $50,000 Chainey's Panasonic Levin Stakes.
His resuming run at Te Rapa, under 58.5kg, resulted in a fifth that was better than it looks on paper.
Barbaric is one from one at Otaki and comes in not too badly on 56kg.
The chances of Flower Bomb will depend on how the track is racing.
She is a real runner and if on-pace horses are being suited she should be right in it from an inside barrier.
Several smart 3-year-olds face off in the $70,000 Linwood Park Stud 3YO.
Classy fillies Sardaaj, Dixie Express, No Tricks and Vavasour clash with colt Mongolian Khan, who has been impressive winning two of his three starts.
Marsh has a big opinion of the unbeaten Sardaaj, who has drawn perfectly, and Vavasour is the big improver.
She will be even better when she steps up from today's 1600m to 2000m, but she bolted away over 1600m at Te Rapa last start.
Punting pointers
Highly Suited: Veyron (R8 Ellerslie). Conditions make him look extremely well placed. Fitter now.
Big Improver: Ultraviolet (R9 Ellerslie). Smart mare who is improved for her first-up run.
Forgive: Emily Monk (R7 Ellerslie). Rain helped beat her at Ellerslie last start. Better this time.
