Racing: Weights reflect paucity of class

Manawatu trainer Gary Vile has his team in great heart at present and he lines up a trusty trio of lightweights in today's Manawatu Cup Trial at Awapuni.

The presence of former top-class galloper Cent Home with topweight of 57kg reflects a disappointing aspect of the race. The 15 other acceptors are either on the minimum of 52kg or only 1kg above.

In some way, it reflects the paucity of class among New Zealand's open handicappers, but the Manawatu Racing Club can be thankful it has drawn a full field.

At his best, Cent Home would be head and shoulders above this field, but in four starts since coming back from his latest retirement, he has looked far from the quality galloper he once was.

Wairarapa trainer Jim Wallace is confident the horse has recovered and there has been little to suggest that he isn't fit enough to make it back to the winner's circle.

But rider David Walker hinted that Cent Home was "looking after himself" when the pressure came on.

Vile has a strong hand in the race, with Carrera, Princess Oregon and Baywatch Babe. Between them they have won 16 races and more than $220,000 in stakes.

Each of the trio worked strongly in final training at Awapuni this week and their fitness suggests that their rivals will have their work cut out.

Another local, Danamator, must be respected. Formerly regarded as a mudlark, Danamator has shown in his two open-company runs that he won't be less a threat on good ground.

Dancer In The Dark looks to have overcome his barrier tardiness which augurs well for his future in open-class company and Deebee Jean is a lightly tried mare who has much potential.

Bramble Rose, like Cent Home, is having trouble regaining the form which won her the New Zealand Oaks.

In contrast to the Manawatu Cup Trial, the group-three $50,000 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies has attracted a strong field.

It is headed by the One Thousand Guineas winner Justa Tad, with a strong array of talent from the Waikato centre. It includes La Sizeranne, stablemates Eloa and Zedcar, and the Lance O'Sullivan duo of Prickle and Belle Of Marju.

Justa Tad is the hot favourite in the early fixed-odds markets and has shown her fitness for today's race with some outstanding trackwork this week.

But she will not have things all her own way, with new depth emerging in the fillies' crop in the past month.

- NZPA