Racing: Arlingtonboulevard key to easing Walker's pain

Mark Walker would love to see Arlingtonboulevard win today.

Not only is the $60,000 Wealleans Matamata Cup one of the biggest races of the year on Walker's home track, it has been a shocking couple of weeks for the highly accomplished trainer.

Two weeks ago Walker booked Zarius, Shikoba and Darci Brahma on a flight to Melbourne leaving on Tuesday.

Walker will now load only Darci Brahma on to the aircraft.

Shikoba went amiss and is out for the spring as is Caulfield and Melbourne Cup hope Zarius, who developed a tendon problem after working in dashing style at Matamata on Thursday morning.

"I've had tough runs before and I'll have them again," said Walker.

Although the field is very strong, Arlingtonboulevard is a real hope to pick up the Cup.

She could not have been more stylish in winning under 58kg at Hastings when resuming from a spell, a real feature of the effort being the 1.22.04 1400m time. Even allowing the good passage she received it was a stunning performance.

For a big, strong mare and a group one winner, she is not badly off with 55.5kg and as a back runner, the wide barrier draw will not come into play.

In a line-up loaded with chances, one of the toughest for her to beat should be topweight King Of Ashford.

The 58kg and barrier No19 looks formidable at first glance - almost prohibitive but it may not be enough to stop him. He is a good weight carrier and being such a long strider the barrier draw, particularly at the 1600m point at Matamata with its long run down the back straight, may even turn into an advantage.

"I'd rather he was out there than in No 1 or No 2," says trainer Karen Zimmerman.

King Of Ashford resumed in the Merial Metric Mile at Awapuni on September 16 and was blocked for racing room for much of the home straight after a bumping dual with Wahid at the 300m.

"He's very well and hopefully he'll get his luck this time," said Zimmerman.

King Of Ashford is on the Tuesday flight to Melbourne where his first Australian start will be in the Coongy Handicap on the 21st.

El Perez is a doubtful starter. Co-trainer Dean Logan said the classy improver needs a wetter track to be competitive over 1600m.

"On a decent track they go a bit fast for him at 1600m. To bring them back to him he needs it slow or heavy and he's not going to get that. I'll probably keep him for the 1900m at Rotorua and even that might be a touch short for him if the going is good.

After a shocking passage in the Merial Metric Mile, Samurai will take a lot of money here. He is another to have drawn wide, but that should be of no significance to his chances.

The Merial winner Floydeboy will have conditions to suit and the upsetter could be Fiscal Madness.