Racing: Distance better for All's Well

More distance and a greater fitness level should take All's Well close to major honours at Ellerslie tomorrow.

The underrated stayer/metric miler nearly pulled off a coup at Ellerslie last weekend when he made talented Cog Hill work hard for a decent part of the home straight.

That was at an unsuitable 1400m and tomorrow's 1600m on a heavier surface thrusts him forward as a strong winning hope.

Trainer Davina Waddell has not previously backed All's Well up in seven days, but she is not concerned.

"I hadn't really planned it this way, but there is nothing for him in the immediate few weeks, which is why he'll be there on Saturday."

Waddell said that although All's Well was as fit as she could get him last week, he had not had a lead-up race.

"He was very solid, but nothing can replace a race for tightening a horse up."

This time she does not expect All's Well to lead and allow the others to have the drop on him late, as was the case last week.

"I didn't think he needed to go to the front in that race - he seemed in the ideal position early, but Kate [Hercock, rider] said he felt unsure in the track conditions and felt like he was slipping slightly, which is why she said she went forward to lead.

"I can't really comment on that, but that's what Kate said.

"Everything depends on what happens early in the race, but ideally I'd like for him to have a sit and be running at them late rather than them running at him."

Last December All's Well looked a good thing beaten when he pulled a plate and finished just behind the placegetters in the group one Avondale Cup.

That race is Waddell's main aim again and the only reason All's Well is racing at the moment is because he does not do well when in the spelling paddock.

"He does better when he's in the stable doing something. I'll aim him towards the Kiwifruit Cup at Tauranga later in the winter."

All's Well is best at a middle distance, but testing track conditions should ensure tomorrow's 1600m is more like 1800m - 1900m.

Ron Baker is not confident his good mudder Something Magic is fit enough to win if the track becomes very testing.

"She's had one run back this campaign, but she's getting older and needs more racing each season," said the Pukekohe trainer.

"She will run a race, but I feel she might need this one before being properly fit."

Ben Sparta is on trial.

He has not been out of the money in nine starts in heavy ground, four wins and five placings and as a rising 9-year-old he needs to show something here to prove he is not past it.

He has had more than sufficient racing now to say he is ready for the task.

Al Jameel has got to the top of the handicap and carrying 57kg on this testing track will not be easy.

But he has been in such great form that he deserves to be one of the favourites. He has yet to tackle an official heavy track, but he took 1.43.06 for 1600m when winning on a track that was that close to heavy it counts as a tick here.

Sun Hawke is one who will appreciate the heavy track conditions.

He won nicely two starts back on a soft track at Hastings, but found the improved conditions a barrier when third behind Jury's Out at Manawatu last time.

He represents good class on winter tracks and should be at attractive each-way odds.

If you reckon you've got Bank Note worked out, you should be able to nominate the winning Lotto numbers for tomorrow night.

The heartbreaker got the money and drove a steel pin into his followers at Te Rapa last start.

Just maybe his new trainer Toni Croon has found the answer. Maybe.