Racing: Shinn picks Caulfield Cup

Volkstok'n'barrell has taken no harm from his first-up effort in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo / NZME

Cox Plate was the original target for Volkstok'n'barrell but rethink could be likely.

Yesterday's storm got rid of today's Waipa races, put a heavy hand on Friday's Tauranga raceday and made sure the Great Northern Steeplechase candidates will seriously earn their money at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Across the Tasman, Volkstok'n'barrell is preparing to deliver his own storm to the Australian stars preparing for the spring big-money features.

Co-trainer Chris Gibbs told the Herald last night that Volkstok'n'barrell had come through his first-up Memsie run on Saturday to the stable's complete satisfaction.

Gibbs put the star through some trotting exercise yesterday morning and is completely happy.

The only slight worry - and Gibbs is paying total attention - is that the gelding is starting to do too well.

Gibbs, and co-trainer Donna Logan back home, know now they have only to keep on top of their star to take their place in the Melbourne headlines in the next two months.

"Knowing him, he'll start doing very well now he's over his first run," said Gibbs.

Volkstok'n'barrell finished only seventh in the Memsie, but the positive was that over a too-short 1400m he was just 1.9 lengths from the winner, Boban, a specialist sprinter.

Even better, his sectionals were second-best in the race behind Boban.

"Our bloke went from the 400m to the 200m in 11.8 and from the 200m to the finish in 11.7. Boban went a bit quicker, but unlike our horse he's a sprinter and had a beautiful run up the fence. Next start over a bit further he'll be competitive if he can run those same sectionals."

Gibbs is fairly certain Volkstok'n'barrell has done well enough to guarantee his presence in the Makybe Diva Stakes on Saturday week.

The rider of Volkstok'n'barrell will be interesting. Donna Logan was hoping to have that resolved last night and the tip may be Craig Williams, who rode the horse to win the Rosehill Guineas. The Memsie rider was Blake Shinn.

There are a few options - Shinn, Williams and James McDonald, depending on whether Volkstok'n'barrell aims towards the Cox Plate or the Caulfield Cup.

Shinn jumped off Volkstok'n'barrell on Saturday and declared the run a magnificent Caulfield Cup trial when most believed the Cox Plate would be his target.

"Craig is committed to the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, Blake is committed to the Cox Plate and James is taken for the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup.

"The majority shareholders are probably leaning towards Craig Williams because of his association with the horse," said Gibbs.

"From this point it should be onwards and upwards."

Ellerslie will be as testing as it could be on Saturday. There are showers forecast later in the week, which would do more good than harm in keeping the track a fraction looser.

Rain, rain go away

• Yesterday's September showers have already knocked out today's races at Waipa, put Gate Pa on Friday in doubt and should ensure the Great Northern Steeplechase on Saturday will be a real slog.

• On a brighter note, Volkstok'n'barrell has come through his Memsie Stakes effort in top order.

• The pride of Ruakaka will have his next start in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemingon on Saturday week.