Racing: Grit and guts v flash and dash

By Mike Dillion

It comes down to flash and dash versus grit and determination in the $350,000 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie today.

Buzz Lightyear versus Ad Alta.

The glitzy quarterback versus the dour All Black second rower.

And in a nice twist, the second rower is the filly.

Buzz Lightyear, the $2.10 favourite on fixed odds, is by electric Australian sprinter Gold Brose from a flash Americanbred mare Excitable Kid, while Ad Alta's dam, Distant Heights, is bred from good, sturdy - yet classy - Waikato stock that produced champion galloper Battle Heights.

And that's exactly the scenario that will develop at the 400m at Ellerslie this afternoon.

Buzz Lightyear will be trying to extend his brilliance to the 2400m Derby distance and Ad Alta will be after him with the determination and guts that has won her Ellerslie's Lindauer Guineas, the 1000 Guineas and the Avondale Guineas.

The doubters of Buzz Lightyear's ability to successfully race past 1600m disappeared when he destroyed his opposition in the 2000m Derby Trial at Ellerslie two weeks ago.

That wasn't the best field he has beaten, but it was probably his best performance. If he can produce the same sprint 400m out from the finish of today's 2400m, it is extremely doubtful they can beat him.

This is one Derby which is won on the home turn. Anything which has the class and sprint to dash two or three lengths clear at the top of the home straight will almost always hold on.

Three-year-olds at this time of year are not hardened stayers. They might be able to make up the leeway to a breakaway leader, but getting past is another thing.

They are generally spent by the time they get near. Recent Derby winners Zonda and So Casual are fine examples.

And Buzz Lightyear, despite his brilliance, is a terrific grinder.

So is Ad Alta.

This could produce one of the great Derby finishes.

The grey filly will give trainer Tony Gillies and owner Peter Payne the thrill of their lives if she gets over the line first.

Regardless of the result, Gillies and Robert Priscott, trainer of Buzz Lightyear, have produced wonderful examples of horsemanship to get the pair through long campaigns, which included a debilitating trip to Christchurch for the 1000 and 2000 Guineas.

They both want it to hold together for just one more race.

Former record-breaking New Zealand test cricketer Terry Jarvis has a strong second string to Buzz Lightyear in the rapidly-emerging filly Hill Of Grace.

The filly might carry the name of one of Australia's finest reds, but it will be champagne for Jarvis and the team if either horse wins.

Vivaldi, Jarvis' third Derby acceptor, had to be scratched on Friday after a bout of colic.

Hades, who chased Ad Alta home in the Avondale Guineas, and Manawatu visitor Marrok, are other strong chances.