Racing: Short Te Aroha odds may be best way to go

It might be wise to take the short odds on a couple of smart types at Te Aroha today and exercise the imagination more at Hastings.

Class juvenile Crusoe (No 2, R6) was at no fancy odds when he finally broke through for a win at Te Rapa last week, but he was entitled to be short on the tote and will be again when he tackles the Champagne Stakes at Te Aroha.

The way he won coming from last, you would have sworn he would need a week just to pick himself up out of the sawdust, but co-trainer Richard Collett swears the horse blasted through the exercise untouched.

The way he managed that performance leaves little doubt Crusoe will handle the rise to 1500m this time. Employ insurance with a quinella with Waikeepadacash (No 1).

Zaria (No 14, R4) has been tackling classy 3-year-old races lately and not doing a bad job of it. Even though she is dropping back in distance, more importantly she is dropping back to maiden class. There are a couple of useful maidens against her, but if the form index holds up she should get over the top of them. If you're looking for the quinella to bolster the short odds, look at So You (No11) and Autumn Star (No4).

Sedecrem (No 1, R2) is the class act at Te Aroha. Unfortunately, with so many racing at Hastings, it may not end up being a betting race worth investing in. Even with Chad Ormsby claiming 3kg off the 60kg handicap, Sedecrem will still carry at least 4kg more than the others, but it's doubtful they have the class to keep him at bay.

You don't like backing up on maidens that chalk up a row of minor placings, but Cape Prince (No 3, R3) is one who looks as though he will break through. There is no reason to think this may not be the day.

Trainer John Wheeler has posted a warning that rising star Rokocoko (No 1 R7) is not 100 per cent fit on the eve of a Queensland winter campaign, but it might not be enough to beat him in his first start since February. He has carried pretty good weights in taking his three straight victories and, although 1200m is not really his go, he is well placed as a three-win horse. Wheeler also likes his other runner, Master Blaster (No 3), another who would normally appreciate slightly more distance.

Tony The Pony (No 3, R8) has been racing better than his paper formline reads. Forget he went around at Tauranga last start where the wet track did not suit. Buddy Lammas climbs aboard for the first time and with his allowance he might be able to get Tony The Pony over the line at useful odds. Platinum Place (No 12) last start struck a strong field at Tauranga to follow up her maiden win at Ellerslie and drops back for this effort. She could be useful.

After declaring in this column that Double Ar Be (No 1, R9) got one last chance at Tauranga last start, he gets his FINAL opportunity to recapture his form today. He did enough at Tauranga to get you in again, but only this once - horses like this can often be lucky enough to be unlucky. Buddy Lammas' apprentice allowance gets him back to a remarkable place in a progressive handicap for a horse that has raced at the top level. Watch Medit King (No 2) and Ocean Melodie (No 6).

The last is probably not a punt race, but a bit each way on Punt Higher (No 3, R10) may not go astray. He had a preparatory 1400m race last month when coming back from a break and stepped up to a middle distance for this, so he should be more competitive.

At Hastings, All's Well (No 7, R8) remains the top pick in an interesting $100,000 Hawkes Bay Gold Cup field. Trainer Davina Waddell says she has a niggling suspicion the talented stayer is one gallop short of his best, but this column is prepared to take the risk on that. The well-grassed, springy track will be a big plus. Etoile Du Nord (No 6) and Viz Vitae (No 3) are real chances in an even field, the winner of which gets a free trip to the Adelaide Cup.

Sea Saint (No 1, R2) will start a warm favourite in the juvenile after his runaway Matamata victory. The odds will be boosted to something more attractive by the quinella with fresh runner Governor Bois (No 2).