Dorabella is a top chance at Ellerslie. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Co-trainer Howie Mathews admits tomorrow's $120,000 NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes is an afterthought for high class mare Dorabella.
But not a bad one.
Mathews was convinced to bring Dorabella north after she was badly hampered and basically did not have a race in the $270,000 Coupland's Bakeries
Mile at Riccarton last start.
Dorabella was the worst sufferer in the home-turn incident against the outside running rail that saw Chris Johnson suspended for eight racedays.
"I have been really happy with the way she's come back home to Otaki," said Mathews.
"We were going to run her in the Gasmate Stakes at Te Rapa on the 15th of next month, but because she didn't have a proper race at Riccarton I thought why not have a crack at the big race at Ellerslie?
"I rode her myself in work this morning and she felt terrific, and she looks perfect as well," he said yesterday.
If Mathews had a small concern it's Dorabella dropping back from 1600m to 1400m.
"A couple of those other mares might prove to be a bit sharp for her, but the 1400m at Ellerslie is more like 1600m. It's a fairly tough course."
Mathews has a lot of respect for the Lance Noble-trained Irlanda.
The fields for most of tomorrow offer great betting opportunities being packed with form runners.
One of those is the $75,000 First Sovereign Trust Stakes for the sprinters.
Classy filly Crossyourheart and Cambridge's unbeaten Martini Red, face the older, tougher types in Imananabaa, Pinsoir, Happy Sculpture, Magic Tryst and a few others.
This race over 1100m will be a cracker.
