KEY POINTS:
Santagostino may have won at group and listed level, but trainer Mark Walker is happy to take a R90 defeat on the chin at Taupo today.
A first-up sprint assignment was always going to be on the short-side for the Kelt Capital Stakes-bound Matamata 4-year-old.
But after a
minor leg bump three weeks back, Walker doubts there will be many blowing harder at the end of the Iffraaj 1200 than his Giant's Causeway mare.
"We've been trying to catch-up ever since she knocked her leg," said Walker.
"She never missed any work because we led her off a pony for 10 days, but she did miss some fast work."
Walker gave the winner of the listed Gold Coast Bracelet in May a quiet 1000m trial at Te Teko on August 7, and admits she's still on the porky side.
"I think she'll take a lot of improvement in the run [at Taupo].
"We're just looking for a nice run to give us a line on where to head next."
Walker and the mare's owner-breeders Peter and Philip Vela have had the Kelt uppermost in their minds with Santagostino for months.
A minor shoulder strain robbed the Great Northern Guineas winner of a crack en-route at the group one Queensland Oaks in June.
But the break has done the half-sister to 2002 NZ Bloodstock filly of the year Vapour Trail a world of good.
"She's physically stronger now and a beautiful mare to look at; you really wouldn't see a nicer specimen of a racehorse," said Walker.
Santagostino is currently rated a $31 Kelt chance with TAB bookies, with Mercedes Derby placegetter Uberalles, also by Giant's Causeway, a $41 hope.
Uberalles tunes up for major spring assignments - both Santagostino and Uberalles are also nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups - with a trial at Taupo next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, it could be the turn of one of the stable's unknown quantities, Fasmeara, to shine on the course today.
With an inside alley, a 2kg claim from stable apprentice Samantha Collett and track conditions to suit, Walker is confident of a bold showing from the Fasilyev debutant.
The 3-year-colt impressed in winning a 800m trial with Collett aboard at Te Teko last week untested by four lengths.
"He's a nice horse," said Walker. "He's not a speed horse but Samantha Collett rode him well at the trials and should be a good chance."
Staryn Glenn (race one) could be the best of the rest in what is likely to be her last race before going to stud, while Valuation (race seven) should be finishing on strongly over a distance short of his best.
Valuation was rated good enough to contest last season's Waikato Guineas and his only career win came on this course over 1280m last December.
"I tossed up over running him over 1100m or 1300m, but he's a bit big to go 1300m," said Walker.
"If it's a fast-run race that suits back-runners he could be a chance."