By MIKE DILLON
Responsibility for Integrate running in Saturday's $100,000 State Insurance Easter Handicap at Ellerslie has switched from the handicapper to the weather report.
Co-owner David Ellis yesterday declared last Saturday's $60,000 Travis Stakes winner a definite starter at Ellerslie provided the track is not rain-affected.
Ellis had been sweating on the handicapper, but was happy with Integrate's clear topweight of 58kg.
"The handicapper has to give the best horse in the field the biggest weight and if he feels Integrate is the best, then we have to be happy with 58kg."
Integrate has shown she can manage a track which is easy or on the good side of soft, but Ellis says any deeper than tending toward heavy would see the mare withdrawn.
"With her Brisbane trip confirmed I couldn't send her around on a heavy track carrying 58kg. I don't want to kill her."
Opie Bosson has been confirmed as Integrate's rider for Saturday's group one event.
The mare's Queensland targets will be the $A200,000 Hollindale Cup on May 17 and $A500,000 Doomben Cup on May 27. She will be accompanied on Friday week's flight by Te Akau Dancer, Nadir Shah and 3-year-old filly Let's Cruise, who will have two $A100,000 lead-ups to the $A325,000 Queensland Oaks.
Last-start winner Nadir Shah will have the $A200,000 Grand Prix on May 20 as a lead-up to the $A450,000 Queensland Derby.
Lisa Mumby has put a big ask on herself with rapidly rising star Cinder Bella in the Easter Handicap.
If Cinder Bella takes the feature, Mumby's first winner at Ellerslie will be in a group one race.
The Palmerston North jockey has been in great form lately, but has still to kick home a winner on New Zealand's premier racetrack.
"I suppose I've had only about half a dozen rides at Ellerslie and I'm really looking forward to my first win there," she said.
Trainer Karen Zimmerman said Cinder Bella had completely recovered from what was a gut-wrenching run to win the $120,000 Japan New Zealand International Trophy at Tauranga.
"But I knew she would, she's that sort of horse.
"This is a much stronger field on Saturday, but she will go into it in good condition."
The barrier draw did the Cinder Bella camp few favours, coming up with No 17.
Others to suffer in yesterday's draw were Zayyad (No 18), who finished second to Cinder Bella at Tauranga, and Mr Emperor (No 16).
Racing: Weather eye out for Easter Handicap run by Integrate
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.