Racing: Zarzuela hard to go past

Seaflyte, seen here winning on New Year's Day at Ellerslie, is a threat in race six. Photo / Dean Purcell

In racehorses there is class and there is sheer class.

Zarzuela is the latter.

The headlining filly is going to once again give the colts all they need in today's NZ Equine Veterinarians Championship Stakes at Ellerslie.

Only luck in running would appear able to beat the Matamata filly and although there is potential for disaster in the No 1 barrier draw it would be foolish to rely on that element to justify backing something to beat her.

The Waikato Guineas win last start was achieved with the filly looking well short of full fitness. She will be sharper for this.

Corporal Jones, now part owned by a syndicate headed by Hong Kong-based trainer Paul O'Sullivan, is the danger. He is the type to be improving with each race and like the filly has drawn well.

The trifecta chances are too many to list, but definitely don't leave out Sirani. She hasn't tackled anything like this company, but is well capable of it.

Another of the good bets on the day looks to be improving stayer Mr Charlie (No4, R6). He was narrowly beaten in the Dunstan Final and proved that form with a handsome win at Trentham last start. He has trained on and from an inside gate should get an economical trip. Seaflyte (No8) and Fantastic Flash (No5) are dangers.

Rainmaker (No8, R1) has been getting home strongly in races up to 1400m and gets his chance with the step to 1600m this afternoon. It's only a fair field of maidens and Rainmaker will get every opportunity, particularly with first-race James McDonald aboard.

If Natsinga (No2, R2) starts here in preference to his other field of acceptance he's going to take some stopping. His strong-finishing third to Heracles at Te Rapa was a solid effort and although he goes up to 58kg for this because of the drop from R90 to R80, there is only a 3kg scale from top to bottom on the race. If Natsinga is scratched Heredity (No5) looks the go.

Keffiya (No6, R3) goes well when fresh as she showed when winning on her way back from a beak at Ellerslie in December 28. She has had a nice break since then and although this is a reasonable field, she should prove very difficult to manage. Boundless (No3) is the class mare in the race, but she should be better for the race and looking for a distance further than the 1600m.

Peter McKay has done a great job of getting his horses to maintain their form and that makes Vincent Mangano (No2, R4) a strong chance again in R90 grade. There was a lot to like about the way he finished off to win at Te Rapa last start and he always gives a great sight.

Bone Of Contention (No4, R8) finished only seventh in the Waikato Guineas last start, but it was a better effort than it looks on paper. He got home well late in the race and although against older horses this time, will like the 2100m. Kilkenny (No2) will be an interesting runner at 2100m.

At Invercargill, northerner El Torro (No6, R9) gets a chance to topple one of the local heroes in Titsgittin (No1). The 6kg difference can swing it the way of El Torro, who has always looked the makings of a very decent stayer. He is jumping way up in class, but has the talent.