Racing: Wide draw poses different problem for We Can Say It Now

The rider of We Can Say It Now won't have to worry about any No 1 barrier problems in Saturday's Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham.

Lisa Allpress will have a different problem as the high-class filly jumps from what will almost certainly be barrier No 15 in the group one feature.

The inside barrier helped beat We Can Say It Now in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton and rider Leith Innes had to ride a carefully planned race to negate the inside gate in last Friday's $200,000 Levin Classic, which turned into a resounding victory.

It's disappointing that 18 runners will face the start on Saturday, when a number of about 15 would have been more appropriate for such an important race.

We surely can't be kidding ourselves we have 18 genuine group one horses in any one week in New Zealand.

One outstanding feature is that the race will be run on a firm track.

The Trentham surface was yesterday officially a dead 5 and with good weather forecast through to at least Sunday, a perfect surface looks assured.

The three drawn outside We Can Say It Now are Fritzy Boy (17), The Meista (18) and Firebolt in the outside gate.

Drawn nicely among the leading chances are Altered Image (3), Dancing Jess (8), She Rules in No 5 and Spare A Fortune in No 8. Obsession is fractionally wider at No 13, but should not be too inconvenienced.

Altered Image was fabulous winning the $250,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton and his clash with We Can Say It Now will be the highlight of the day.

The first of the Avondale feature races being run by the Auckland Racing Club for this season at least, takes place at Ellerslie on Saturday with the running of the $85,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Concorde.

The group two event has attracted most of the best sprinters available.

Wow!

That's the only way to describe Red Ruler's fresh-up victory at Pukekohe yesterday.

It wasn't just that the classy stayer won at 1400m, regarded as too short for him, or that he lumped 61kg, it was the lack of effort he was required to put in to win.

In his first start since finishing 11th in the Melbourne Cup, Red Ruler came from last on the home bend to run past the opposition with his ears pricked.

He ran the 1400m in 1:22.18, but didn't get into one of his top gears - not even close.

Remarkable is not too strong to describe how easily Red Ruler was travelling from the 250m. Melbourne's wet spring helped keep him winless on his Australian campaign.

Regular rider Mark Du Plessis was mildly surprised, but hardly staggered.

"He's come back [from Melbourne] in great shape. I galloped him 10 days ago and he worked very, very well."

Red Ruler is being set for the $200,000 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Stewards ruled well-fancied Mill Duckie a non-runner when her barrier failed to open correctly, severely checking her as the start was made.

Werribee racecourse, west of Melbourne, on Saturday holds its first race meeting since November 2007, having been saved by a A$5 million reconstruction fund.

At a recent resurrection party, several politicians claimed responsibility for saving the club.

Werribee president Patrick Wheelahan wasn't having it.

"I've never seen any of them before," he told the press.

This year Werribee played host to the more than a dozen international

horses, including Melbourne Cup winner Americain, as the quarantine station for visitors.

Because of technical problems we are unable to publish the Pukekohe race results.