Racing: Karaka Million hopeful set for Tauranga

Cool Aza Beel missed his lead-up race at Ellerslie yesterday.

One of the favourites for the Karaka Million is going to need to take the road less travelled to the looming juvenile super sprint.

Third favourite Cool Aza Beel missed his targeted lead-up race at Ellerslie yesterday after being found to have a high temperature.

And while trainer Jamie Richards expects the talented colt to be fine within days, he has had a dramatic change of plans.

Missing yesterday's race means Cool Aza Beel is not guaranteed to get into the glamour race on January 25 but he also needs a lead-up race for fitness, having not started since a luckless Pukekohe performance in November.

So Richards will take the son of Savabeel to Tauranga on Friday for a $22,500 juvenile race.

"It isn't ideal but I am thinking he will be fine, maybe even by tomorrow and Friday will serve two purposes.

"He should get some more money as he sits on the border for getting into the race but he will also need the start.

"He is a colt and I think he will bounce out of a race on Friday well so I think we can still get him to the Million in good shape."

Richards is even happier with Avantage, who is now the pre-draw favourite for the Telegraph at Trentham on Saturday.

A strong fresh-up second at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, Avantage galloped well between races at Matamata on Tuesday and Richards is happy with her progress. "Everything is where we need it to be with her."

One horse who is looking increasingly unlikely to be taking on Avantage in the Telegraph is one-time favourite Bostonian. His trainer Tony Pike is yet to make a final decision but is thinking the group one sprint may come up too quickly for the Doomben 10,000 winner.

So he could be saved for later targets and potentially even Sydney and a return to his beloved Queensland.