Racing: Tactics left in hands of jockey

Altered Image is a top each-way prospect at Trentham tomorrow. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Lisa Allpress has never looked to have big shoulders.

She's going to need them tomorrow, because she will go to the start on brilliant filly We Can Say It Now with no instructions before the $200,000 Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock Captain Cook Stakes.

From a barrier like No 15 in the group one event, Allpress is going to need some sort of plan A to try and beat some talented opposition.

And, probably, a plan B.

"I'll just leave it to her," said co-trainer Murray Baker yesterday when asked about the barrier draw.

"Barrier draws are always important, but they don't seem to matter quite so much at Trentham because the camber tends to throw horses back towards the rail. She'll just have to see how it pans out."

What may not help the We Can Say It Now cause is a lack of real speed in the race to break the field up and allow the outside horses to slot into a large pack without covering extra ground.

Spectacular Icon can go forward, but he's unlikely to have to withstand a great deal of pressure in front.

Sir Slick used to lead in everything, but it's been noticeable lately that he has been lost for speed in the early stages of his races, so he's unlikely to be there to force the speed.

We Can Say It Now has a devastating sprint when she can get cover and her chances will almost certainly be decided in the first half of the race.

As good as she is she won't be able to give too much away in terms of racing luck the way Altered Image won the Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton.

The record of 3-year-olds in the Captain Cook is not relevant.

This is only the second year the race has been run in December, rather than in October when it was unsuitable for 3-year-olds.

Before that the Captain Cook was run in March.

Smart galloper Prince Of Wales finished midfield in the race last year as the only 3-year-old.

Obsession will be well fancied after her stunning return to winning form in the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Pukekohe.

The victory was no fluke because the mare was previously group one placed and has not always had luck.

She races best in open spaces and a midfield to slightly wider gate on a big track like Trentham is ideal.

"I'm very pleased with the way she's progressed, she'll be at her top again," said trainer Frank Ritchie.

She Rules had every chance to beat Obsession when she received the perfect trail at Pukekohe, but she still rates some chance here from a perfect barrier.

Altered Image is the one horse on whom you can almost bet on where he'll be in running.

The Coupland's Bakeries winner will be in the first four from the outset, hopefully, says co-trainer Andrew Clarken with cover. Altered Image sat outside the leader before bursting away to win the big Riccarton metric mile, but that's not a scenario Clarken is keen to replicate. "We've always believed he'll be a better horse with cover, so that would be ideal."

That will depend on how many rivals go forward in the opening 400m.

Clarken is happy with the way Altered Image has gone forward since returning to Matamata.

"We have to continually work on him to ensure his legs are okay, but, that apart, he's in very good condition.

"He's been eating well and he's ready for a big race. If he gets the right run Michael [Coleman] should be able to produce him at the right time."

Altered Image is definitely the horse to beat on his Riccarton effort.

His clash with We Can Say It Now will be a beaut.

MIKE DILLON'S PUNTING POINTERS

BEST BET

A Chance To Dream, (R3, Ellerslie). Gets a distance to suit after a couple at 1600m. Deadset stayer.

BEST LAY

Time Keeper, (R7, Trentham). Weak late at Wanganui last week. Sharp dropback from 2040m to 1400m in seven days. Racing below best.

HEARTBREAKER

Firebolt, (R8, Trentham). Won at Rosehill four starts back like a group one horse and looked more like the clerk of the course's horse in two latest efforts in Melbourne. Good enough to win, but you'll have to ask him.

LONGSHOT PLACE

Bella Russia, (R4, Trentham). Lacks zip, but stays like a mother-in-law. The 2400m will suit.

NOVICE WITH ABILITY

Kiwi Lady, (R4, Trentham). Will have needed to learn from winning debut, but might just be good enough to beat them on ability alone. Going places.

FORGIVE LAST RUN

Tanha Strike, (R1, Ellerslie). Close up in sharp 1100m against better opposition. This suits.

NEEDS TOUCH OF LUCK

Beautiful Girl, (R8, Ellerslie). Ran into a brick wall at Te Rapa last time. Has a wide gate to hamper her tomorrow. Watch if she gets anything like a run.

OMEN BET

The Miner, (R5, Ellerslie). The owners have agreed to donate any stakemoney won by the horse to the Pike River Miners' Relief Fund. He would be a popular winner.