Racing: Group one bogey continues

Allan Sharrock wants to know what he's done wrong in life, or who he's offended.

When Wahid drew barrier No 14 in today's $200,000 Levin Classic the Taranaki trainer was sure he was paying for some previous mistake.

"Every time in a group one race I draw the outside barriers," said Sharrock.

"Woburn drew No 20 in the Derby, sat wide throughout and should have won.

"This horse [Wahid] drew off the track in the Sires Produce, covered extra ground and should have probably won."

The positive for Sharrock is that a clever ride will be required and he will be legging up Hayden Tinsley, just about New Zealand's most astute tactical jockey.

"The draw is the only negative I can find with the horse.

"His fighting weight is around the 460kg-465kg and when I weighed him this morning he was 462kg. All his form has been around that weight."

Sharrock said he was delighted with Wahid's semi-final gallop on Sunday.

"It was huge and he was barely breathing hard after his easier gallop yesterday morning.

"The mile holds no fears for me and he'll drop back early anyway, so perhaps the barrier won't be an issue.

"It will be up to Hayden to pick the right path from him to come down."

Sharrock didn't hesitate nominating Tsarina Belle as the danger.

Lance O'Sullivan has been through an interesting exercise with Tsarina Belle, who was probably a fraction disappointing, certainly in terms of expectations, in finishing third in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton last start.

O'Sullivan says he never weighs horses at his Wexford Stables, but has been weighing Tsarina Belle purely out of interest.

"She was 545kg when she was an unlucky second at Te Rapa then 538kg just before she left for Christchurch.

"She was 521kg when she came back from Christchurch - it's a big trip back from there - and today she weighed 539kg."

O'Sullivan wanted Tsarina Belle "about 6th or 7th one off the fence", but she lobbed into the trail behind the leader, from where she did not produce her trademark flashing finish.

Vinny Colgan replaces Leith Innes in the saddle, but O'Sullivan makes it clear is was not a sacking.

"I don't drag jockeys, I just tell them where I want them ridden.

"Before Te Rapa there was a suggestion Leith had an obligation to Crusoe for the Levin Classic and I spoke to Vinny at that point.

"Vinny was always going to ride her this time."

O'Sullivan has an open mind about where he wants Tsarina Belle ridden.

"I want her wherever she's happy. I won't be giving Vinny too many instructions."

Dr Green is the interesting runner. He finished only fourth to Darci Brahma in the 1500m Guineas at Trentham, the longest distance he has raced, but there were indications that was not a true test of his stamina index.

Trainer Brian Jenkins has always believed Dr Green will successfully manage a metric mile and this is the dashing colt's test.

His best recommendation is the massive fight he had with Darci Brahma in the Hawkes Bay Guineas at Hastings.

Mark Todd's Izzat has looked impressive and could be the upsetter, even though stepping right up in class.