Racing: Bonecrusher crammed with class

Rondinella (outside, 10) is just pipped by Vin De Dance (8) at Matamata last month. Photo / Trish Dunell

Ellerslie might be delighted by the stunning strength of Saturday's $200,000 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes but trainer Roger James has been left surprised for a different reason.

Because just a few weeks ago James was thinking he might pull a cunning training masterstroke by sneaking his promising mare Rondinella into the group one against what at the time looked a bunch of mainly older, well-tried weight-for-age performers.

Sure, James was thinking, he might have to take on On The Rocks but at least the two best gallopers it the country weren't heading there. Which they weren't. But now they are.

So after Melody Belle and Danzdanzdance both changed tack and will meet for the first time in the Bonecrusher, Rondinella finds herself up against eight group one winners in a field of 12.

"It is definitely stronger than we, or anybody else, was expecting," said James.

"But while we weren't expecting to be taking on those two outstanding mares as well as all the other top horses in there, if this mare is going to end up where we want her to in 12 months time then I think she can live up to this level."

James and training partner Robert Wellwood have long-term aspirations to campaign Rondinella in Sydney this time next year, potentially ending in the Queen Elizabeth, a race Danzdanzdance could find herself in just next month.

Danzdanzdance has drawn well at barrier seven for a mare who likes to settle in her races while Melody Belle has barrier five, again perfect for a mare whose wins have come when she has raced in the first half of the field.

Rondinella has barrier three and while James thinks that could see her settle maybe a pair closer than she usually races he would still prefer to see her eased into stride early rather than change her racing pattern.

Meanwhile, the James/Wellwood filly Elate has recovered quickly from her heart fibrillation in the Sunline Vase last Saturday and will have a gallop to confirm her participation in the NZ Oaks at Trentham on Saturday week. "The Oaks is still very much the plan, she is fine," says James.

With the Auckland weather holding and the track likely to be firm, TAB bookies have somewhat surprisingly opened Danzdanzdance the $3.20 favourite for the Bonecrusher just ahead of Melody Belle at $3.40.

On The Rocks is third favourite at $5 ahead of last season's Derby winner Vin De Dance at $8.50 and Rondinella next at $10.

The two jockeys on the Bonecrusher favourites also have key mounts in the Auckland Cup, with Craig Grylls on $3.30 favourite Charles Road while Opie Bosson has picked up the mount on last-start Moonee Valley winner Vengeur Masque, who finished 15th in this season's Melbourne Cup.

Along with Cups warrior Five To Midnight, City of Auckland Cup winner Prince Jabeel and last-start Avondale Cup winner Glory Days they add to a class top end of one of the deeper Auckland Cups in recent years.

Bosson, as tends to be the case when he is fit and riding in the zone, also takes the mount on favourite Yourdeel in the group one Sistema Stakes, who is $3 even from barrier 11, ahead of Bavella at $4.20 for Leith Innes returning from a five-week suspension.

Cup Day

• Where: Ellerslie
• When: Saturday, first race 12.40pm.
• What: The $500,000 Barfoot and Thompson Auckland Cup; $200,000 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes; $200,000 Sistema Stakes.
• Who: The best staying handicappers, weight-for-age stars and juvenile gallopers in New Zealand.