Racing: Even wintery conditions cannot obliterate class

Very little in racing is unaffected by class, even in winter conditions.

Which is why Nothing Lika Tango makes appeal in today's $50,000 Winter Cup at Riccarton and outstanding mare Ad Alta cannot be ignored if her connections decide overnight to begin her campaign on a heavy Ellerslie track.

Disregard the fact Nothing Lika Tango has failed to figure in two starts so far this campaign.

Trainer Royce Dowling declares the big bloke has needed both races and says he has specifically set him for this target.

While a horse of good balance, Nothing Lika Tango has always been tall and slightly overgrown for his age and was always going to get better with time.

As a 5-year-old this should be his best season and there would be no better way than to kick that off with the first real feature. The heavy footing will suit ideally, as will the long testing home straight at Riccarton.

Ad Alta (No 7, R9) is lengths better than her opposition at Ellerslie today, the factors in the equation being whether she is fit enough and whether she can manage the heavy track well enough. Class can help overcome both of those shortfalls and she is worth the risk.

Savers on Vyner's Orb (No 6) and Rodney Red (No 11) might be the way to go.

Star Wars (No 1, R4) seems to be able to handle all types of winter footing and in his current form is going to be hard to beat despite his 58kg. He finishes strongly and should be assisted by the small field.

Brave Cheyenne (No 2) lost form completely after striking a problem a year ago and this race will tell whether his Waipa win last start signals a return to his best or whether that was just one of those things.

Ken Browne says Boon's Boy (No 2, R1) is back to his best and that's good enough for us. Boon's Boy took time to recover from his extreme effort in the Mercedes Great Northern, according to his co-trainer, and is in much better shape for this race than when he failed last start.

Big Mann (No 1, R3) should be much fitter for two steeplechases following a lengthy break and although he has yet to race over the course at Ellerslie, Ross Elliot should help get him over that deficit.

Silver Archer (No 3) was beaten only by a determined Gold Story in very testing conditions at Te Rapa last week and is due a turn. He is very fit.

Despite the 67kg, Golden Miller (No 1, R5) has to be respected. His main danger here, Nessun Dorma (No 5), looked likely to win in his jumping debut here last start, but Golden Miller picked him up easily in the final 250m.

There is only a 1kg relative difference between them this time, and while Nessun Dorma is likely to be improved by his last start, Golden Miller has the right background.

Opie Bosson should provide Frisco Bay (No 2, R6) with the right trip. Frisco Bay looks greatly improved, loves wet ground and will finish this off in the right manner.

Yarradarno (No 2, R7) was perhaps a bit disappointing when third at Trentham last start, but his effort was not at all disgraceful. On a looser track this time he could easily bounce back. He is a solid improver with a determined finishing burst when at his best.

South West One (No 3) could provide the surprise. This footing should be right against horses in the early stages of campaigns and South West One has had only the one start this preparation.

But at best he represents better class than these and can make a nuisance of himself.

The main 1600m is tricky. Barshu (No 3, R8) is the improver, but Creme De Honor (No 2) will be tough to hold out and if the track is loose, watch out for Mr McGerkle, 58kg and all. The footing at Trentham last start did not suit him.