Racing: Test of confidence for filly

Lucia Valentina escaped injury following a crash on Boxing Day. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Trainer hopeful Lucia Valentina has fully recovered after her fall in Boxing Day feature Stephen Marsh says he won't know if Lucia Valentina's confidence has been dented until she goes around in Wednesday's $100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes at Ellerslie.

Lucia Valentina escaped serious injury when she crashed and lost rider Leith Innes with 750m to run in Boxing Day's Great Northern Guineas.

"Fortunately, she received only a smallish cut on a front leg," said Marsh.

"Where she probably saved herself was she slid along the ground, rather than going into a forward tumble."

Marsh has had a chiropractor go over the highly talented filly and found little wrong.

"But what we don't know is how her confidence might be affected. She is a very tough filly, very tough, and that's going to help."

Marsh has been very much looking forward to the opportunity to step Lucia Valentina up to 2000m.

"This race is going to suit her beautifully."

Lucia Valentina has drawn perfectly at No 5, an important factor at 2000m at Ellerslie.

Not so fortunate in the area of barrier draws for Wednesday's big day is southern sprinter Natuzzi who has No 14 in the $200,000 Sistema Railway Stakes. One of the favourites, Waterford, is not too badly off at No 8, but fresh runner Jetset Lad has No 17 and last-start winner Sitara comes out of gate No 16.

The TAB has installed Waterford as the $2.80 favourite, with the filly Bounding at $3.50 second favourite after she drew barrier No 1.

Durham Town is in the market at $5.50 third favourite then you have to go as far out as $12 to Natuzzi.

Co-trainer Tony Pike is unconcerned about More Than Sacred drawing the outside gate of the 19 runners in the $100,000 Scot Thrust City Of Auckland Cup.

"She gets back anyway and the 2400m start at Ellerslie provides a long run to the first bend to get a horse in from an awkward barrier," said Pike. "I'm not greatly worried."

City Of Auckland Cup market: More Than Sacred $2.20, Annie Higgins $7, Chaparrone, Soriano $8; $18 Mosquito, Sum Up; Wisecrack, $21, Hiace $31, The Flying Affair, Steel Giant, $41, Boninsky, Savanah Rush, Storming The Tower, El Soldado, $61; Back In Black, Juliann, $81 Roddick; $101 Redeel, Tempelton.

Railway market: $2.80 Waterford, $3.50 Bounding, $5.50 Durham Town, $12 Natuzzi, $16 Fleur de Lune, $18 Statham, $21 Pizzazz, Eight Schillings, Postmans Daughter; $26 Jetset Lad, $31 Little Wonder, The Filly, Shezhardtocatch; $41 Sitara, Whosyourmaster; $81 Regalia, Sequin.