Racing: No fears for Foxton visitor

Fears Nothing is chasing his second feature Ellerslie mile tomorrow. Photo / Greg Bowker

Being trained in an area of left-handed racetracks puts Fears Nothing at a distinct disadvantage.

However, the gelding's record on right-handed tracks provides trainer David Haworth with a decent degree of confidence in tomorrow's $200,000 Land Pride Easter Handicap at Ellerslie.

At his past two visits north from his Foxton base, Fears Nothing scored dominating wins at Pukekohe last November 20 and in the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie at the summer carnival.

At his only two previous runs right-handed, he finished eighth in the Championship Stakes and seventh in Coniston Bluebird's Derby at Ellerslie in 2009.

"And he was knocked flat in both of those races," said Haworth from Foxton yesterday.

The predicted rain doesn't greatly concern Haworth, probably because Fears Nothing has a record of three wins from five starts on slow footing, even though his most dynamic performances have been on better ground than that.

"The one thing I do like is that he's drawn out in the middle of the field.

"When it gets wet at Ellerslie you generally want to stay away from the inside, so I think he's going to be suited."

Fears Nothing has a devastating finish at best and if the racing pattern on the day suits that style, he can prove very difficult in this race.

Rain will greatly change the face of this race.

Being a speed-type horse, Veyron on some levels gives the impression he might not be suited to a rain-affected rack, but the record says otherwise.

He is two from two in the slow, one of those being his dominant victory at Te Aroha last week, although in balance the racing pattern that day suited on-speed horses.

Veyron is very strong and might be able to work his way through the footing regardless of what he strikes.

Trainer Roger James is less sure about his pair The Party Stand and Firebolt.

"Both have shown they're class acts at all levels, but the weather is my main concern."

James said he eased The Party Stand after her group one victory at Ellerslie to bring her up on another campaign aimed at the Queensland winter carnival. "She is still on the way up and therefore Firebolt, who has had one run back, might be fractionally my better chance."

Last preparation, Firebolt turned in some remarkable performances in Australia, including a runaway win at Rosehill that almost defied description.

However, he turned in a couple of shockers as well. His A game would just about win this for him if conditions reasonably suit. His Z game would barely win any race on the programme.

Alegrio is another mystery horse in terms of what the rain does to Ellerslie if it eventuates.

He has won once in the wet, but failed terribly at Tauranga last start when conditions were quite bad.

He is liable to manage better this time and is up to the best on his previous winning run.

Banchee might be put out of business if the track turns to slow, but Dasoudi, despite backing up for the third time in two weeks, is not the worst chance.

Her run in the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha last week was better than it looked on paper and she has a good Ellerslie record.

My Astron, who resumed with a fair third at Te Aroha, handles most types of footing and has a good course and distance record.

EASTER HANDICAP

* Fears Nothing prefers right-handed racing.
* He has won on his past two visits north from his Foxton base, including the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie.
* Rain is predicted for tomorrow morning in Auckland, which will have a dramatic effect on this group one race.