Racing: Miss Potential likely to lead the Kiwi challenge

While his New Zealand rivals are hoping for a strong pace in the Stradbroke Handicap today, Waikato trainer Bill Borrie doesn't want a helter-skelter speed early for his mare, Miss Potential.

"I hope it isn't too strong early. That would be make our job all that much tougher," said Borrie, who is looking to wind up his remarkable horse's career with a group one run in a A$1 million ($1.19) million race.

On top of injuries woes after the mare's last run in the Doomben 10,000, Borrie was dealt another tough card with a barrier draw of 18 for the Stradbroke.

Early predictions were for Impaler to sprint to the front, but with him failing to make the field unless there is a scratching, it's unclear who might rival Miss Potential for the front.

Borrie has indicated she will go forward for the lead, but he wants a smooth run from a wide draw to secure a good position, either in the lead or just behind it. If those drawn inside go flat out at the start, Miss Potential could be in trouble.

"We do have that big long straight out the back [of the course] to go forward so that is a plus," Borrie said.

While Miss Potential suffered puncture wounds after being buffeted in the Doomben 10,000, Borrie said she had recovered with no sign of infection and had worked well on the Gold Coast during the week.

He is looking to a fairytale farewell to racing for Miss Potential, who came back from a broken leg to win group one events in New Zealand and Australia. She is due to go to stud in the spring and a run in the group two Winter Stakes later in the Queensland carnival is unlikely if Borrie's wife Carrie has her way.

"The boss is arriving and I'm under strict instructions to send the horse home after the Stradbroke," Borrie said.

Fellow New Zealand trainers Richard Collett, Roger James and Neville Couchman will be pleased if Miss Potential does go forward as that will generate speed inside her and should ensure a strong pace throughout.

Their respective horses, Cog Hill, La Sizeranne and Gee I Jane, didn't fare well with the draws but tend to get back in the running anyway.

La Sizeranne fared best with 13 and has firmed in betting.

Queensland form analyst Vince Aspinall echoed the thoughts of James, saying that she would benefit hugely from a massive weight drop on her last start second in the Glenlogan Park Stakes a fortnight ago.

Said Aspinall: "She drops 7kg and that makes her a great chance in the Stradbroke."

Collett has removed the side winkers from Cog Hill and applied blinkers for the first time.

He said he had waited for a big race like the Stradbroke to use blinkers to sharpen him up.

"He's tended to get to the front in races and loaf a bit and has had a lot of seconds where he should have won, so this [the blinkers] will help stop that," Collett said.

Couchman has been thrilled with Gee I Jane's work this week and says she is primed for a huge run. Barrier 24 doesn't worry him as she is a backrunner.

"Her last two gallops have been really good and I couldn't have her going any better," Couchman said.

St Basil was a $7 favourite with TAB Sportsbet, with Cog Hill and Hard To Catch on the second line at $9. La Sizeranne was $10, Gee I Jane $13 and Miss Potential $17.

- NZPA