KEY POINTS:
Australian sprinter Lord Turffontein is an almost certain starter in the $200,000 Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa on February 7.
They were the thoughts yesterday of Anthony Cummings.
The Sydney trainer is disappointed, but not devastated, that Lord Turffontein could finish only sixth in Saturday's $1 million
First Sovereign Trust Telegraph at Trentham.
He says he can see a few factors that did not aid his horse's chances.
"When they steadied the pace just before the middle stages of the race I thought we might be in trouble.
"He was back and wide from his outside draw.
"He took four lengths off them in a speed dominated race, so I'm not disappointed."
Lord Turffontein finished 3.2 lengths off winner Mufhasa.
Australian rider Glen Boss said he had concerns before the race that the track was a bit harder than Lord Turffontein prefers.
"I walked the track a few races earlier and felt it was quite hard.
"I expressed those thoughts to Anthony.
"Given everything I didn't think the horse's performance was that bad.
"He couldn't stretch out properly on the firm track - he didn't run through the pain."
Cummings said travel plans virtually dictated that the Te Rapa race was part of the campaign.
"There is no plane home this week unless we fork out the cost of an entire pallet, which doesn't make a lot of sense, so if we're going to stay here for two weeks then why not run in that race?"
Cummings said it was more than likely he would look to engage a local jockey for Te Rapa.
"Glen wasn't sure last night. He said he had to get home to see what his obligations are, but I'd say he'll stay in Melbourne and I'll get a local jockey."
Te Rapa's sand-induced natural cushion should suit Lord Turffontein.
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The pattern of racing was difficult to follow at Trentham on Saturday.
But there did seem to be something of a bias in favour of the inside three or four horse widths.
There were exceptions, but horses who hooked out wide from the home turn didn't appear to get the same go-forward as those closer in.
King's Ransom was an exception in winning the $100,000 Ford Wakefield Challenge Stakes but, interestingly, even he drifted into the inside lanes late in the race because of his tendency to lay in.
And in the last race, Marno and Possum came down the middle of the track to finish first and third being split by Crossword in a nose, half-head finish.
Mufhasa, Shanzero, Striker, Figuring, Equals That and Occidentalis were winners with inside-like passages.
Lord Turffontein was one of those who got to the centre of the track.
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Some of the more interesting points from the stewards' report:
Race 2: When questioned about the poor performance of hot favourite The Pooka, Michael Walker said he could offer no explanation. Walker said The Pooka felt a little indifferent in his action on pulling up.
Race 3: Barasinga was badly held up between the 250m and 100m. Charlotte Courtney was held up early in the home straight. Michael Walker said the favourite Padlock had not been able to finish off from a good position in running and in his opinion now needed more distance than 1400m.
Race 4: Kamar Dancer had difficulty obtaining clear running up the final straight. King's Ransom was inclined to lay in during the final stages.
Race 5: Lisa Allpress was issued with a warning for coming out sharply and checking Caught Out at the 250m. Buddy Lammas said he felt the favourite Cellmate, who faded disappointingly, may have been feeling the effects of recent racing.
Race 6: Mandela badly over-raced. Michael Coleman could offer no excuses for the disappointing effort of Veloce Bella.
Race 7: Firebolt jumped the crossing soon after the start, unbalancing his rider then began to over-race. Quartz Reef was held up over the final stages. Minstrel Court pulled up lame in the nearside foreleg and was transported to Massey University. Izonit was found to have been galloped on.
Race 8: Sam Spratt was questioned about the disappointing effort by Gallions Reach. She said she believed the horse was feeling the effects of racing and she understood he would now be spelled.
Race 9: Manten stumbled at the start. Near the 700m Maximum Star made contact with the hindquarters of Altered Image, which was turned in and became unbalanced. Dashing Donna had to be firmly restrained off heels and shifted out on to Il Quello Veloce.
Race 10: Geordie Girl was held up near the 200m. James McDonald said The Black Oak might have been feeling the firm track.