Racing: 3yo shows fans his ability

Show The World impressively wins the Sound Championship Stakes at Ellerslie yesterday. Photo / Natalie Slade

Baker may bypass NZ Derby with well-bred son of High Chaparral as he pursues more glory at Randwick

Murray Baker has to suppress a smile every time he mentions the name Show The World.

He didn't bother suppressing it after Show The World dealt with the opposition in yesterday's $100,000 The Sound Championship Stakes at Ellerslie.

It was a close call for a $2.40 favourite, but Opie Bosson declared that Show The World started gawking around and waiting for the others when he got to the front in the home straight, allowing Blizzard to get close in the closing strides.

Even the introduction of blinkers yesterday failed to prevent the laidback attitude of the winner.

"As a colt this horse was unmanageable, since we've gelded him he's become the quietest horse in our stable," said Baker.

Baker and co-trainer Andrew Forsman have never hidden their enormous opinion of Show The World, but the High Chaparral gelding is still raw and very new. Perhaps, even a touch delicate.

So much so that Baker is keen to bypass the Derby at Ellerslie on March 1 and concentrate on the A$2 million AJC Derby in Sydney.

"We'll need to work it out with the owners, but I'd prefer to concentrate on Sydney - I don't think you can do both Derbies, particularly with a horse like him.

"We'll see. I've got a lot of time for this horse, he's going to be very good."

Andrew Forsman said the victory was as much as anything a relief.

As Baker explained, the win was almost certainly necessary to get the horse sufficient stakemoney to gain a spot in the AJC Derby field.

Baker admitted he was worried about the rain-affected track, which was reasonable, but downgraded immediately after the Championship Stakes when a downpour arrived.

"He's such a long strider."

Baker said he'd love to further his record in the AJC Derby.

"I've won it twice with Nom du Jeu and It's A Dundeel and finished second with Harris Tweed. This horse reminds me of Harris Tweed."

Although the winning margin of a long head slightly flattered Blizzard, it was still a big effort for a horse stepping up from maiden class. His last 75m was particularly stylish.

Show The World's win rekindled memories of New Year's Day nine years earlier when his dam Bazelle dashed away with the Auckland Cup.

If they start running 4000m flat races make sure you are on Graphic.

That's the tip from rider Craig Grylls, who won yesterday's $75,000 Dunstan Feeds Championship Final at Ellerslie on the horse.

With 800m to run Grylls thought he was a $100 chance.

"I thought we were under pressure a long way out," said Grylls. "But he just keeps going and going; he reminds me of Single Minded."

In a tight finish with less than one length between the first four, Graphic got there by a long neck to Etoile Filante, who looked unlucky by going very wide on the home bend. A head back third was Lion Red with the same distance to Her To Eternity.

Co-trainer Mike Moroney, over from Melbourne, said at the presentation that the stable had been trying for years to win the Dunstan Final.

"It's been a difficult race for the stable to win and we've had a runner most years. I'm glad we've finally won it."