Racing: Star thriving on pregnancy

It would be appropriate if Star Of The Ball can win the Christian Cullen Handicap at Cambridge tonight.

After all, the race is named after the father of her first foal.

The in-form mare is just weeks away from retiring to the broodmare's paddock, having successfully been served by Christian Cullen, New Zealand's champion stallion.

Pregnancy obviously agrees with the four-year-old mare too as she has finally returned to the form that made her a player in last season's amazing crop of fillies.

While rivals like Mainland Banner and Foreal have gone on to open class stardom, Star of the Ball's season started with a few setbacks and looked like stagnating.

Until a few weeks ago. Since then the mare has not only started to race at her best but is loving the challenge, thriving with each outing so much trainer Gareth Dixon was almost forced to start her this week.

"I really entered her for this race not expecting to start her," said Dixon. "But once I had a good look at the noms I thought she could win it.

"I think she is racing better than the horses off the front and the only one I am really concerned about is Lady Retton and she faces a big handicap.

"So the more I look at it she is the horse to beat."

Star Of The Ball has won the last two Friday night's at Cambridge after being able to lead in sprint races but Dixon says tonight's 2700m standing start suits just as well.

"She is good from a stand and has felt great all week so I don't see any problems for her."

The race is still a step up in grade though and Lady Retton has to be hard to beat if she can make up some of her handicap early, while Adsdean has been luckless in recent starts and looks the each-way value.

Star Of The Ball heads a strong team for Dixon tonight and the usually conservative horseman admits he wouldn't be surprised if he won at least two races, maybe even more.

He rates Tuffery in race three as his best chance, ahead of Star Of The Ball and Highxcitement (race two).

Tuffery has looked far stronger this season than last, with two wins and two seconds in just four starts at the tough Auckland Cup carnival.

He has already proved he can work in his races but may not have to tonight as he is well placed at barrier three on the second line.

"I have freshened him up a little bit since his last win but he is very, very well. I think he is a great chance," said Dixon.

Highxcitement has been luckless in his recent racing but finally gets a good draw on the front line in race two.

The rangy pacer loves Cambridge and looks a good way for punters to bolster their phone account early in the night before attacking the $75,000 Pick6 which starts on race five.

Dixon also has each way hopes in race four (Trelise) and race eight (Erykah Badu).

"I had to take Trelise to Te Aroha last week because she couldn't get a start here and she won well.

"This week's field is tougher but she can be in the finish."

His biggest concern with Erykah Badu is the gelding having drawing one on the second line.

"That is a bad draw for him but he is better than this grade."