Lion Tamer is worth one more chance in tomorrow's $45,000 Network Visuals Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie.
On the surface, the Cambridge colt's ninth in the group one Ford Manawatu Sires was way below his previous form.
But he got back from the start that day and, surprisingly, none of the
second half of the field made any significant ground.
That is unusual in that race because it's the first time the babies step up to 1400m.
Lion Tamer's previous form of two wins and a third from three starts entitles him to one more chance here.
He looks a stayer in the making and the 1600m journey this time will be no trouble to him if he arrives at Ellerslie with his mind on the job.
"I'm happy with him since he's come back from Manawatu," said co-trainer Murray Baker.
The hardest to beat could be the Stephen McKee-trained Hoofit and the filly Lady Carolyn.
They come off completely different formlines: Hoofit from the group one Sires at Manawatu and the filly from a moderate Paeroa mid-weeker.
However, it was no ordinary winning performance by Lady Carolyn at Paeroa.
She exploded away by four lengths and Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie said the race had been the makings of the filly.
"With the rails run she got she was entitled to win, but she won very easily. When they win like that it does wonders for their confidence and they're almost always hard to beat next start."
By General Nediym from a Lion Hunter mare, Lady Carolyn, who will be ridden by Michael Walker, is bred for pure speed, but races more dour.
"The last 100m of everything she's done has been her best, so the 1600m should suit her," said Ritchie.
Hoofit was only 1.5 length from the winner Nacho Man in the Sires at Manawatu, great form for a race like this.
He seems to work strongly to the finish and this could be set up for him.
