Racing: Old warhorse and rising star quinella may provide best bet

By MIKE DILLON

What about a quinella in the longest jumps race in New Zealand as the best bet today.

Sounds crazy, but it might be a reasonable punt to quinella Eric The Bee and No Hero in the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase at Hastings.

This is the old international warhorse up against the new star on the block, who had not been heard of this time last year.

Eric The Bee is nearly double the age of No Hero, but he is going to take all sorts of beating.

Fill your memory with his fighting two-length third to Narousa in the Friday Flash Great Northern Hurdles a month ago. He's a better 'chaser than a hurdler these days, yet he stuck in there, refusing to be beaten, even when he looked beaten.

That grit will come in handy today.

The pressure is really on class rider Jonathan Riddell. He loves Eric The Bee after just the one ride on the old bloke in the Great Northern, but has decided to stay with emerging star No Hero.

It should be a great race.

At Avondale, Kauri King (No2, R1) might be a good way to start the day, despite what are sure to be tight odds. On debut last start he was beaten a long neck by Grovali and for an inexperienced youngster he probably got to the front a fraction early in the home straight. He should have learned from the experience. Hot Elle (No1), resuming, has the experience and Centalac (No7) made nice ground late after a slow start last time out at Ellerslie and could be a trifecta value runner.

If Lessthanasong (No1, R2) manages the heavy conditions and if he is fit enough after a lengthy break from racing then he has the ability to leave maidens here. He does have potential, as does Zhivago (No2), another coming back from a decent break. My Lips Ar Sealed (No4) looked pretty useful winning at the trials.

Sweet Dancer (No1, R5) got no chance to produce her best after being wiped out by the fallen Nuffsed at Tauranga last Saturday. Her prior form had been excellent and she can bounce back here. Black To Black (No2) has had two runs back from a spell to fit him for this 2000m. He loves wet ground and should be included.

Sheiko (No5, R6) looked good leaving maidens in heavy ground on this track last winter. He has had only three starts since and only one since resuming from a spell, but that should be enough to have him competitive here. There is no great depth in this field and Flo Jo (No7) should find it a fraction easier.

War Dancer (No1, R7), after a series of claiming apprentice allowances, will carry his full 56kg topweight with Noel Harris in the saddle. However, Harris' experience should balance that out and on a heavy track he will take plenty of beating. Not Sure (No8) could start favourite again, despite being beaten in that role at Tauranga last weekend.

Adonis (No2, R8) needed his first-up run at Te Rapa last month and will parade a fitter horse this time. His record of four wins from five starts at Avondale is a telling stat and he will just love the footing. Zabeels Angel (No1) may need the run after a long break, but she is all class and even with 58kg can run a cheeky race. Perhaps include her in multiple bets. Flying Chief (No3) won this race last year and if the rain arrives before this race he will shorten even further in the odds.

At Hastings, Challenge (No5, R3) is going to take beating in his hurdling debut after his excellent runs on the flat lately. Being trained by Kevin Myers, he is certain to have done a lot of schooling.

It's remarkable that you could even consider tipping a horse who has had just two jumps starts in a Hawkes Bay Hurdles, but Arawhata Chief (No8, R4) is a natural in his new job. He bolted in on debut then might have won rather than finish second at Trentham last week but for being taken on in front for the last lap. He will give a great sight.

Nuffsed falling on the home bend at Tauranga last week did no favours to Hootandance (No7, R7). She had gone close before finishing ninth last Saturday and is worth staying with. Danzaman (No4) is a better chance than his latest form suggests.

Two runs over 1200m have got Anson Bay (No3, R8) fit for this 1600m. He loves this track, can handle winter footing and looks a great each-way chance. Real Vision (No4) will find form soon.

Forget The Dynamo (No4, R10) was beaten on this track last start. Everything went wrong and he needs only a little luck to get back to winning form.