By BARRY STREET
Blinkers go back on Bawalaksana for the $14,000 main race at Ellerslie today after the former New Zealand sprint champion failed to fire without them at Trentham a fortnight ago.
A fifth from a difficult No 12 barrier in the McDonogh Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day was a sign that, perhaps, Bawalaksana was again close to the form that won him a group-one double two years ago.
But after he again drew wide at No 16 for the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham on January 22 it was decided that racing handily was out of the question.
Therefore the blinkers were dispensed with.
As it turned out for trainer Paul O'Sullivan and rider Lance O'Sullivan, it was not a wise decision.
The 6-year-old entire produced practically nothing after being tried "cold" from the rear, Lance O'Sullivan recalled yesterday.
"So, it's back to the blinkers and a forward position in a race with not so much pace on," he said.
Today's Schofields of Newmarket Open also means a 600m step in distance and a 3.5kg weight increase for Bawalaksana.
The O'Sullivans are not too worried by the distance because the horse ran a bold second over 1600m at Tauranga.
However, topweight of 58kg could be a stumbling block against such good lightweights as Ngaio and Sir Lancelot.
Ngaio has not raced since she finished fourth over 2000m in the Governor General's Cup at Avondale nearly two months ago.
But her being fresh should not matter because she scored first-up over 1600m at Pukekohe in October.
Sir Lancelot ran an eye-catching third, only a short neck and a long neck from Grovana, over 1600m at Ellerslie two starts back.
After that a trip to Trentham for the Douro Cup was a waste of time.
As with Bawalaksana, Sir Lancelot could quickly make amends.
Five starts at Ellerslie have earned him two wins and two placings and his eight starts at 1600m have yielded two wins and four placings.
Justine, from the powerful Stephen and Trevor McKee stable at Takanini, also looms as a prospect.
She won over 1400m at Ellerslie on New Year's Day and 19 days later split Grovana and Sir Lancelot over today's course.
Racing: Blinkers again in attempt to rekindle fire
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