Racing: Taranaki Cup trial for Sydney

A barrier trial on his home track on Wednesday has to helped prepare talented Otaki-trained galloper Figurehead for a big effort in the group two $60,000 Taranaki Cup (2000m) at New Plymouth tomorrow.

Trainer Kay Lane said Figurehead toyed with his rivals in a 1200m barrier trial over 1200m and although the opposition was not strong it remained a pleasing effort.

"He sat four wide in front all the way and kicked away in the home straight," Lane said.

"He won very nicely and I'm very happy with him."

Figurehead was a beaten favourite last start when fourth - only 1 1/4 lengths from the winner - in a 2200m open handicap at Trentham on March 10.

Lane said luck was against the five-year-old son of His Royal Highness on that occasion.

Figurehead will be out to extend his unbeaten record on the New Plymouth track.

The winner of close to $500,000 in prize money won his only start at New Plymouth in the 1998-99 season before heading to Australia where he campaigned with success.

Figurehead won a listed staying race in Brisbane on the trip and was an unlucky second in the Queensland Derby.

Lane said the horse would be was on trial for a Sydney autumn campaign tomorrow. Lane is targeting the $A1 million Mercedes Classic (2400m) at Rosehill on April 7 and Chairman's Handicap at Randwick a fortnight later.

Figurehead comes in well for the Taranaki Cup, with his topweight of 56.5kg, only a kilogram more than the Paul O'Sullivan-trained Beaujolais and one of his toughest rivals.

Beaujolais has won her last two starts and looks set to make her mark as a stayer.

Other good chances in the Taranaki feature include Lord Presto, runner-up last start to Forfar in the New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham. It would be no surprise to see the likes of Classify, Resonare, Ismailia, Hello Dolly close up at the finish as well.

In the $45,000 Ford Classic tomorrow, Manawatu trainers Wayne and Ann Herbert believe a sound early preparation could pay dividends for Elfonze.

Elfonze has drawn 14 in a field of 15 for the group three race for two-year-olds but Ann Herbert believes the horse has the grounding to overcome such a hurdle.

"That (draw) is disappointing," Ann Herbert said, "but it won't stop us running her if she's right on the day."

"She's a lovely filly and is coming through her racing well.

"We never put any pressure on her early on and I guess that has ended up being a big help for her."

The Taranaki Racing Club's feature will be the consistent Krasnopolski filly's final lead-up race for next month's group one Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes.

Elfonze has not finished further back than third in six starts and will be expected to start a warm favourite.

Herbert said the filly has thrived since her close last-start third behind Vinaka and Coup Ray in the $100,000 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Trentham on March 10.

Elfonze set the pace at Trentham but Herbert will be suggesting to rider David Walsh to take a sit in behind from her wide draw.

The Ford Classic has drawn an even line-up. The main rivals for Elfonze could be Media Queen, who was fourth last start in the Matamata Breeders' Stakes won by Flying Babe with Elfonze the runner-up.

Blackrock College and Maxine's Magic are definite chances while last start winner Five Too Much, with seven starts behind her, has experience on her side.

- NZPA