Racing: Mare after change of fortune

It's difficult to say you have been unlucky when your horse's bankroll has topped the $1 million mark.

But Bill Borrie is desperate for some Hastings luck with Miss Potential in tomorrow's $150,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes.

"This will be our seventh trip to Hastings and we've come away with only one win," said Borrie yesterday.

The names Starcraft and Xcellent are the stuff of nightmares for Borrie. The galloping icons have deprived Miss Potential of something close to $300,000 in just three races, the 2004 and 2005 versions of the Mudgway Partsworld Stakes and in last year's Stoney Bridge Stakes.

Miss Potential finished second in all three races.

If Borrie is looking for a change of fortunes, the week has not started well - Miss Potential drew the outside of the 14 barrier draws at the tricky 1600m Hastings starting point and she has come into season at the wrong time.

The second of those issues may not be a biggie - Miss Potential was in season the day she beat Alinghi in the A$500,000 Nestle Classic on Derby Day at Flemington last November.

But the barrier draw is major. Miss Potential is a natural front runner and getting to the rail from No 14 is no given. There is a very short run to the first bend from the 1600m start, and any runner attempting to clear the field from the outside and failing to do so will cover plenty of extra ground.

And covering ground in this field is not an option.

"Yep, that's no help," admitted Borrie.

Reese Jones will have a big decision to make from Miss Potential's back 50m after the start.

"If we need to she can tuck back around that bend. She can do that, it's just that we've chosen not to in the big races."

Borrie floated Miss Potential to Hastings yesterday, stopping at Taupo to give the high-class mare a 1000m solo gallop in the wind, rain and cold on the Taupo Racecourse.

"We didn't even bother timing her, but it was a nice hit-out for Saturday."

There is a possibility this could be Miss Potential's final career race, but it probably won't play out that way.

Without a further race in New Zealand, she will be flown to Australia to be mated with a stallion, which Borrie has yet to name, and may have a race, or even two, across the Tasman. One of them could even be the Nestle Classic.

"She's going to Australia very soon and whether, or where, she races will depend on how that mating goes.

"If it fits in as far as timing goes she could be in the Nestle. It's a race that suits here because it's weight-for-age."

Even with no disadvantage from the barrier draw, this will be no doddle for Miss Potential.

Shinzig was only half a neck behind her in third place in the Mudgway after sitting on his shoulder for most of the race.

Shinzig has drawn barrier No 2 this time against the No 10 in the Mudgway.

The big factor for him is the track condition: he needs it firm to produce his absolute best and was not entirely happy on the dead surface available on Mudgway day.

Yesterday the Hastings track was 2.8 and dead and general manager John McGifford predicted that if the forecast for fine weather is correct the footing tomorrow will be perfect for all runners.

And then there is Balmuse, king of the $1 million Kelt Capital last year.

He was getting to the line nicely in fourth place in the Mudgway after a little problem in the home straight and he will appreciate the step from 1400m to 1600m.

Rain would bring Irish Rover right into play. From his outside draw he had to cover plenty of extra ground in the Mudgway and was still only two lengths from Xcellent.

If the track is downgraded he is probably the horse to beat.

Premier day

The Stoney Bridge Stakes is the last chance for Miss Potential to beat her bridesmaid hoodoo at Hastings.

The $150,000 group one 1600m event could possibly be her last career race.

Last year's Kelt Capital Stakes winner, Balmuse, will appreciate the increase from the 1400m of the Mudgway.