Foreal was the first horse invited to the Chariots of Fire. Picture / Brett Phibbs
Foreal has an unusual problem in tonight's A$200,000 ($220,000) Chariots of Fire in Sydney - a lack of quality opposition.
Champion New Zealand reinsman Anthony Butt says that could be Foreal's biggest danger as she attempts to justify her $2 favouritism for Australasia's richest 4-year-old race.
Foreal was the first
horse invited to the select sprint and has been everybody's favourite since she thrashed Australia's best mares in the Ladyship Stakes at Harold Park in November, before her luckless fifth in the Miracle Mile.
Since then she has bolted away with a weakish free-for-all on that track and everything points to her being far too good tonight.
Yet Butt is worried - a rarity for the naturally confident horseman.
"I can see this being a very tricky race," he admits.
"I know she is the best horse here and she should win, but Harold Park is one of those tracks where a lot of very good horses get beaten."
Butt's main worry is the lack of attackers in the race, which could see it develop into a sprint home.
That would not suit Foreal, who is at her best when she settles early before launching a big attack in the final lap. She does have the second option of heading forward early but that is not how she races best.
"I can see a situation where we are three back on the outer and they crawl.
"If that happens I might have to make a move three wide and that is not really how she races best.
"I am even toying with the idea of going forward on her and maybe having a crack for the lead, so I have a lot to think about leading up to the race."
But one factor Butt has no concerns over is Foreal's fitness.
"She looks and feels great and the light racing programme has really suited her.
"She would be at least as good now as in the Miracle Mile."
