Racing: Passchendaele still heads market

Weight of punting money has compressed the betting for Wednesday's $1 million Stella Artois Auckland Cup.

Standout Passchendaele has retained the top spot at $4.50, but has lengthened and come a lot closer to Showcause and Roi D'Jeu on $6.

Innocent Lady is at $10 as is Mr Tipsy.

Mr Tipsy has been racing in Australia with no luck and will be ridden by top-class Melbourne jockey Craig Williams.

Saturday's saturated conditions are expected to improve to very favourable footing by Wednesday.

From the inquiry room on Saturday officially, He's Remarkable, Icepin, Hidden Asset, Encosta Diablo, Nippin and Wisecrack failed to handle the rain-affected track in the Derby.

Hong Kong magician Douglas Whyte also said Born To Rock was not comfortable in the footing and David Walker said the same about Stupendous. Lord Carson in the last was struggling also.

The rider of well-supported runner Recession Proof (Opie Bosson) declared the horse was not happy right-handed. Hong Kong-based Douglas Whyte felt Born To Rock didn't manage the wet very well.

Douglas Whyte, Shane Scriven and Jim Bryne came a long way to ride in the Derby. The 11th, 16th and fifth placing might have been their best, but they rode winners on Sweet 'N' Keen, Prime Hit and Hidden Treasure.

Forget King's Rose being beaten out of the money in Saturday's Lowland Stakes at Hastings.

On the surface Chris Johnson's ride looked odd.

Johnson later explained to stewards that the high-class filly could not handle the rain-affected footing and did not get going properly until he pulled her out into the better conditions in the home straight.

From an impossible position, King's Rose ran on strongly in the final 200m to be right behind the placegetters. It was a top performance.

Victory went to the Paul Duncan-trained Midnight Oil, who is looking more and more one of the main chances for the Oaks.

Fields for the Auckland Racing Club's meeting at Ellerslie on Tuesday (Jetbet: 2. TAB doubles: 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9 & 10. Trebles: 2, 3 & 4; 5, 6 & 7; 8, 9 & 10. Quaddie: 7, 8, 9 & 10). Pick6: R5-10.):

1 12.40: Experience Newmarket Mile, $15,000, mdn, 1600m.- Skai Glen (17), Postage (3), Chainedinalkatraz (6) 57; Groover (8), Guns At Five (7), Storm In (10), Gallivant (1), Voorsitter (13) 56.5; Led The Way (19), Rhythm Divine (20), Erlicheer (2), Stellaphyta (12), Geminov (14), Mimamacash (15) 55.5; La Grande Dame (4), Star Bound (11), Acapela (16), Nukumai (5) 5. Emgs: Spectaculartourist (21) 55.5; Anne's Selection (18), Post Xcellence (9) 56.5; Maharishi (22) 57.

2 1.15: Barfoot & Thompson 2YO, $15,000, 2yo hcp, 1100m.- Soul Commander (1) 58; French Connection (11) 57; Harlequin (5), Tennessee Whiskey (4) 56; Pat's Trick (7), Quintero (6) 55.5; Smartly (2), Capstand (8), Perfect Trip (3), Shanspur (10) 55; Volkused (9) 54.5.

3 1.50: Singer 1200, $15,000, mdn, 1200m.- Springloaded (12), Major Fizz (16) 57; Demophon (7) 56.5; Easy Street (13), Fantastic Times (11), October Storm (5), Strategic Blonde (3), Connie Be Good (14) 55.5; Diamond Sitara (10), Paper Lace (4), Lucy In Disguise (6), Panthera (8), Payette (9), Royal Bliss (2) 55. Emgs: Straight Up (18) 56.5; Billies Later (1) 57; Castel Benito (17) 56.5; Binks (19) 57, Cappy Rix (15) 55.5.

4 2.25: NZ Herald 1200, $30,000, Rating 90, 1200m.- Jack's Point (2) 59; Balaq (1), Fazzle (9) 57; Redessi (5), The Heckler (8), Veyron (10) 56; Nina From Pasadena (3) 55.5; Aspinal (6), Tanha Strike (4), Magic Power (7) 54.

5 3.05: Sunline Vase, $45,000, 3yof sw, 2100m.- Insurgent (10), Annie Higgins (14), Chennai (2), Floria (3), Lady Kipling (9), Beyond Desire (7), Run To The Bank (12), Final Fling (8), Affirmative (5), Fireside (13), Magic Potion (16), Shibboleth (1), Dolmabache (6), Keenly (4), Postmans Daughter (15). Emg: Red Horizon (11) 56.

6 .45: DDB Salver, $20,000, 3&4yo handicap, 2200m.- Shantaine (2) 59; The Suleiman (6) 58.5; Calgacus (9), The Grey Storm (3) 57.5; Kullu (12), Shamardal Luck (1) 56; Carniva Boy (4), Cool Radiance (10), Hezapearla (11), Runaway Bride (5), So Regal (8) 55.5; Red Horizon (7) 54.5.

7 4.25: Westbury Classic, $45,000, f&m, 1400m.- Casabella Lane (15) 57; Eileen Dubh (10) 56.5; Barinka (14), Dancing Jess (11), Adaline (12) 56; Her Royal Highness (5) 55.5; Alagant Satin (9), Mercury Mistress (6), Mae Jinx (4), Spirits Bay (7), Queen Sabeel (8), Coretta (1), Cissy Bowen (13) 55; Our Squeezer (2), Queen Of Pop (3) 54.

8 5.07: The Gucci Sprint, $20,000, Rating 70, 1200m.- Royal Dude (9) 58; Ring Of Destiny (4), Roman Rebel (1) 57; Durham Town (2), State Of Elation (19), Tango Terrific (18), Pachenko (20) 56; Triple Treat (7) 55.5; Fancy Pants (6), Jungle Joy (14), Keepa Cheval (3), Monarch (12), Needlly (10), Summer's Pride (13). Emg: Bronte Walk (15), Gentullah (17) 54.5; Black Out (16) 56; Starpin (11) 54.5; Chaumont (5) 56, Cayuse (8) 55.5.

10 6.35: Radio Sport Mile, $20,000, rating 70 sw+p, 1600m.- Blue Ranger (2) 59; Star Of Kings (3) 58; Sand Jewell (1) 57.5; Rainmaker (15), Sum Up (5), Jakblak (12), Lucky Majesty (9), Be Cautious (10), Handsome Mates (14), Superninsky (6), Yangming (4) 56; Miss Marbella (7) 55.5; Anna Maria (19), Sinead (13), The Dow Jones (17), Charlotte Russe (11), Fast Love (8), Hallavagal (18) 54.5. Emg: Masquerade (16) 55.5.