Racing: Dalgety will be smiling if the pace is on

Cran Dalgety is hoping group one madness infects the drivers involved in our two biggest races tonight.

The Canterbury trainer will have stable reps Smiling Shard in the New Zealand Derby at Addington tonight and Bettor Move It in the Caduceus Club Classic at Alexandra Park.

Smiling Shard has drawn wide on the second line while Bettor Move It has the outside of the front line in their classics, meaning they will both need plenty of luck - or early pressure - to bring them into their races.

And Dalgety says the latter is a realistic hope, especially in the Derby.

"When I first saw his [Smiling Shard] draw I was disappointed but the more I think about it, it might be fine," said Dalgety.

"Some of those very good horses have got the glamour draws and they will all want to use them.

"I can see them going hard early and over 2600m I will be happy to see our fella sitting back and waiting to get one run at them."

Dalgety says that is especially important as Smiling Shard is having only his second start back tonight after a 12-week layoff which forced him out of the Victoria and Woodlands Derbys.

"He is close to his peak and definitely better than last start but he hasn't had a lot of racing so missing the early burn would probably suit him."

Smiling Shard was the best juvenile in Australasia last season and looked back to that form at Alexandra Park in December before his injury struck.

But he is all class and if the Derby tempo plays into his hooves tonight he can win at good each-way odds.

Bettor Move It is nowhere as proven and her draw at eight in the Caduceus Club Classic could be even worse than her stablemate's in the Derby.

Bettor Move It was impressive beating just three rivals last start but Dalgety says she is back to the form that saw her score a very impressive debut win at Alexandra Park in February.

In between times she has been easily beaten twice at Addington by a race rival tonight in Bettor Cover Lover but Dalgety says she had excuses.

"She got sick when she travelled hard and I don't think we saw the best of her at Addington," said Dalgety.

"But she has come right back to that.

"She is going to need them to go hard because she will probably have to go back at the start."

While Dalgety's focus will be on the two group ones tonight he warns punters that stable rep Romulus may not be finished winning in race 10 at Addington.

"I am starting to think he is a real Jewels contender because he led all the way in a 1:55 mile rate last start and he is getting better all the time."

* Don't let Better Cover Lover's recent setback put you off her in tonight's Caduceus Club Classic at Alexandra Park.

Because trainer-driver Brent Mangos isn't.

The Pukekohe horseman says while the exciting filly missed a lead-up race two weeks ago because of a minor injury, it has not greatly affected her.

"It was only something very small but we had to treat her which meant she couldn't start," said Mangos.

"But she was over it very quickly and she has been working well since."

So well that Mangos has not been tempted to take Better Cover Lover to the trials or workouts since she missed the race.

"But she has worked well, I was very happy with her work on Monday morning.

"Sure, she might improve with the race but she is fit and ready."

While Mangos is loath to compare horses Better Cover Lover is not unlike his former outstanding juvenile filly Molly Darling, who won the Caduceus Club Classic in a superstar freshman season.

Bettor Cover Lover looked almost as special beating Better Move It twice at Addington recently, the first victory a stunner after she galloped early.

Mangos said that would not be a problem tonight and he thought she could stay handy from barrier three and make likely favourite Collectable work hard.

"She is a good pacer and she will be handy but I don't think she has to lead or anything. She will be hard to beat regardless."

Later in the night, Mangos opts for filly Wild Isis as the better winning chance of his two talented 3-year-old trotters in race nine.