Racing: Sprint start a tactics dilemma

It was not a good moment when training partners Colin Jillings and Richard Yuill saw the barrier draws for tomorrow's $60,000 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie.

Class act Cheval De Troy again drew wide at No 17, enough to give any trainer a migraine.

The Zabeel colt drew No 10 of 13 runners when he won the Mercedes Derby Prelude last start, being sent forward with a sprint from the gates that had him in the box seat.

The problem with such tactics is that trainers are attempting to teach staying 3-year-olds to relax and settle.

If the stable asked rider Opie Bosson to kick Cheval De Troy out hard to get over in front of the field this time, he might develop that as a habit after his last-start effort, and, with the 2400m $500,000 Mercedes Derby around the corner, that would be a nightmare.

Cheval De Troy showed class to win the Prelude and if he gets half-decent luck this time, he can win again.

If he has to be ridden for luck from the back and is getting home strongly, he will retain his favour for the big race on Boxing Day.

Cheval De Troy showed he has trained on well by recording fast times at Takanini on Thursday.

The southerner's stablemates, The Raj and Fiscal Madness, look the obvious dangers to Cheval De Troy.

The Raj finished powerfully into third in the 1600m 2000 Guineas at Riccarton last start, suggesting, as he had done a couple of times previously, that his best form will be over the staying distances.

The step to 2100m for the first time will suit, as will The Raj's obvious relaxed nature and racing style. He has had only four starts and looks better with each one.

The Derby picture will be clearer after this race and the postponed $60,000 Sky City Avondale Guineas, run earlier on the programme.

With only the odd exception, all the fancied Derby runners are engaged in the two races.

"This is the real turning point," said Matamata trainer Graham Richardson, who produces class filly, Sista, in the Avondale Guineas.

The stable has wrestled with uncertainty over whether to barrier-trial Sista as a Derby lead-up or run her in this race after it was postponed on its home track last Saturday.

"We've gone ahead with this and whether she gets to the Derby, or whether we run her instead in the Royal Stakes will depend on how she pulls up from this race," he said.

"The two-week gap instead of three weeks has been a concern."

Richardson said he was uncomfortable creating uncertainty for futures punters, but the horse had to come first.

Sista faces another smart Matamata filly in That's Top, who motored home to finish second to her in the Waikato Guineas and who looked desperate for more ground than the 1600m that day. The 2000m looks perfect for her.

Mandela, Able Standard, Cedar Manor and Matiri King are among the males who can make it hard for the talented pair of fillies.

By tomorrow night we will know a lot about where this hugely talented bunch of 3-year-olds is heading.