Racing: Derby part of colt's tour of duty after Guineas win

Knight's Tour (outer) finishes powerfully to win the Great Northern Guineas yesterday. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Only good horses can win a group two race like the $100,000 Waiwera Water Great Northern Guineas at their third race appearance.

Stephen McKee's problem now with Knight's Tour is getting enough Ellerslie legs into him before the $750,000 Derby in March.

"The more races he has here around Ellerslie before the Derby the better," said a delighted McKee after Knight's Tour and James McDonald hushed the huge cheer that went up for hotpot Burgundy when the favourite took the lead and looked likely to win 250m out.

"He'll be running here as often as I can." But there will be more missions.

"I must just take him to Trentham for the Wellington Stakes to get him to learn a bit more what the game is about."

Knight's Tour won on debut over 1400m and has had two 1600m races since, but McKee has no doubts the colt will manage the Derby's 2400m.

"He'd run 2400m if the race was today," he predicted.

"But I'll keep him to 1600m in the meantime while he's still a bit new and fresh."

Knight's Tour is one of five colts Hong Kong-based owner Dominic Li bought and put together in a syndicate in New Zealand.

James McDonald was impressed, particularly with the way Knight's Tour stuck his head and neck out when hotly challenged late by Ocean Park.

"Yeah, that's nice," he said. "I gave him a kick and he just took off."

Stephen McKee liked what he saw.

"I like when James pulled the stick over [changed whip hands] and gave him one on the other side, he went again."

Ocean Park, unbeaten in his only two previous starts, copped an interrupted run.

Chad Ormsby finally managed to work him into the clear halfway down the home straight and he produced a great finish.

Burgundy was outfinished into third, but trainer Jason Bridgman and rider Matt Cameron refused to be disappointed with the effort.

Bridgman's initial thought, moments after the field went across the line, was: "Perhaps he's not ready yet to run 1600m.

"He's so brilliant that shorter courses might be better for him at this point."

Cameron felt Burgundy simply needs racing. "That is just what we wanted - his condition found him out.

"He went through on the inside to win at the 300m, but he ran out of puff.

"Next time he'll run 1600m no problem. That wasn't a disappointing run."

Shuka did remarkably well to stick on for fourth after being three wide without cover for the last 1100m.

It pays to know the individual horse before you start judging them on raceday.

The $100,000 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic winner Planet Rock is an example.

She looked light around the loins before yesterday's group two feature.

"She's put on weight since she left Christchurch," said co-trainer Peter Williams after Planet Rock led for the last 1200m to win by one and a half lengths.

Where?

"Don't worry, she's always light through the middle, but have a look at her arse." Yes, Williams was right there. There was certainly no lack of strength in the closing stages of yesterday's race.

Next Sunday's 2000m Royal Stakes has always been somewhat on Planet Rock's dance card, but Williams said he will have a think about that in the next few days.

"I've said all along the Oaks has been this filly's main target.

"If the Royal Stakes now fits into that she'll be back next week."

The Eight Carat was in direct contrast to the stable's luck in the previous race, the Guineas - Shuka had been caught three wide throughout in that race.

"Shuka drew wide and if there's one thing you learn about Ellerslie it's that when you draw wide you stay at home.

"The only problem with that is these big races are the only way you can get these good horses fit."

The victory was the perfect way for the north to welcome Peter and Dawn Williams.

Testa Secret was a solid second and one of the features of the race came from third-placed Silent Achiever, who flashed home late from well back in the field.

She has had only three race starts and looks exceptionally talented.

The 2000m of next week's Royal Stakes is going to suit her perfectly.

Punters copped a hiding when previously unbeaten Xanadu wilted to finish fifth, 3.2 lengths from the winner.

Xanadu got back from a wide gate, rushed up wide on home corner, looked likely for a time then faded.

"I forgive her after drawing wide," said trainer Ken Kelso.

"It was always going to be difficult from that barrier."

Kelso said Xanadu will not be backing up in the Royal Stakes on New Year's Day.

"I'll look at perhaps running her in the Wellington Stakes, or maybe the fillies' race down there."