Racing: No easy pickings for Alton

Historian (rails) beats Neo at Hastings in October. The pair will clash at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo / Paul Taylor

Gary Alton thought he had found a softer path to another target race with Historian only to find one or two others had similar thoughts.

The Cambridge trainer has plumped for Saturday's Eagle Technology Stakes over 1600m at Ellerslie in preference to another trip south, but the metric mile has attracted the presence of unexpected competition.

"The Captain Cook was looking like a who's who of racing so I thought I'd try the easier option with him," Alton said.

"It's turned out to be a bit stronger than I thought with Murray Baker's horse [Lady Kipling] and Postmans Daughter.

"I don't like racing him too much after all his problems, but I do need to get another run into him for the group one there at Christmas time."

The Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day will provide Alton with the ideal opportunity to step last season's Thorndon Mile winner Historian out over more ground.

"I always thought a mile was his best distance, but it's not like he sprints - he just puts himself there and keeps going so maybe 2000m is what he needs these days," he said.

Historian has a good record at Ellerslie with two wins and four placings, including a runner-up finish in the New Zealand Derby.

"It's not quite as good as it could have been - I had the biggest bet of my life on him when he ran second there (in March).

"He had chips taken out of a fetlock after that so I guess he had an excuse, that's racing."

Historian returned after surgery to win the Spring Sprint first-up at Hastings and then ran seventh from a wide gate in the Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton. "He did a bit of work early and when Scapolo quickened he couldn't go with him," Alton said.

"It wasn't a bad run, he was beaten about five lengths, and he has come through it really well."

Of more immediate concern, late-developer Notforlong is expected to produce another bold first-up effort when he resumes on his home track today.

The 6-year-old will return after a break in the Rating 65 Race Images 1400 at Te Awamutu and trainer Richard Otto expects him to run well.

"The race isn't strong and he should be able to sit in a trailing position from the draw and he should take a bit of beating," he said.

Notforlong finished runner-up in his resuming run earlier this year and two more minor placings followed before he was put aside after winning his maiden at Te Rapa in March.

"He's come back better this year than last," Otto said. "He's no superstar, but he's a tough horse and could win some nice races this summer."

He also believes Notforlong has the right make-up to be a potential Queensland winter carnival candidate.

"In those 2000 and 2200m races he can run on speed and be pretty handy," Otto said.

The stable also has another strong hope today with Thatz It, who will take on the Rating 65 sprinters in the Fairview Motors Te Awamutu Hcp.

"He's going well now and the 1150m might be a bit sharp for him, but, again, it's not a strong field."

- NZ Racing Desk.