That was the case for Solidify and Elliot in the Sires’ Produce last start when they were following the right horses only for the gaps which might have appeared in New Zealand to close. Solidify spent a crucial section of the home straight playing dodgem cars.
“He was going well then the gaps closed and he got knocked sideways, but he picked himself up really well then couldn’t wind up late because there was a wall of horses in front of him.”
The step up to 1600m should suit Solidify and while Elliot says comparisons with Derby-winning stablemate Sharp ‘N’ Smart may be premature as Solidify is still maturing, he thinks he will run home hard and can upset in the Group 1.
Elliot believes Platinum Invador is more of a 3200m horse than some of his Brisbane Cup rivals, but his Auckland Cup win earned him his 58kg, a weight rarely carried to the winner’s circle in major staying races.
After a Queensland carnival that has seen few New Zealand-trained victories, Matamata stablemates Dark Destroyer and Dragon Leap (race three) are a chance, with Dragon Leap enormous in his second-to-last start and unlucky not be to in today’s signature race, the A$3m Stradbroke.
Closer to home, the prospect of a soft5 track at Ruakaka will have plenty of trainers smiling, as most other regions in the country are stuck with heavy tracks, but the lengthy hike from Waikato to our most northern track can be draining and favour the locals.
Meanwhile, New Zealand thoroughbred code bosses will outline their new stakes structure for next season at Karaka on Thursday, which will include increases funded by the injection of money from the TAB/Entain deal.
