Racing: Kajema gets handy Cup draw

An inside draw on a turning track is not necessarily a pointer to noted free-goer Kajema attempting an all-the-way win in tomorrow's $25,000 Thames Cup.

As far as trainer Roger James is concerned his recent placegetter in the Avondale, Waikato and Manawatu Cups will not need to set the pace to produce a deserved reward in the 2000m Thames feature.

"He doesn't have to lead at all," says James. "He does like to roll along but I'm confident he can be just as effective from a trail."

This summation of the 6-year-old's prospects is anything but a reflection on the tactics adopted by his most recent regular jockey, David Walsh.

"He's had a variety of riders and from what we've seen lately I think that David gets on with him best of all," said James. "His Avondale Cup ride was 11 out of 10, just perfect. They obviously click pretty well."

The Thames Cup was not originally on Kajema's programme, but a decision to aim for the Wellington Cup later this month sees him lining up with topweight of 58kg tomorrow.

"After he ran so well for third in the Manawatu Cup at his last start we settled on Trentham as a realistic target and this race fits in well to that programme.

"All going well he'll start in either the Trentham Stakes or the Cup Trial on one of the first two days at Wellington."

The racing style of several of Kajema's rivals tomorrow means that Walsh is unlikely to have any problems finding an on-pace sit for his mount.

Desert Flight, with blinkers back on in the first middle-distance start of his current campaign is one possible leader.

Another is Al Jameel, a winner from the front over 1600m in the early summer and having his first start beyond that distance.

Yet another - and indeed probably the most eager from the jump - is Single Sun. Over 2100m at Ellerslie several weeks ago his early turn of foot had him lengths clear after just a few hundred metres and he showed good fighting spirit to hold on for the win.

Tadan will be an interesting runner as he drops significantly in class from his unplaced effort in the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie five days ago. With wins at that distance around such testing tracks as Trentham he is a definite chance in this 2000m.