Racing: Thrilling finishes to Ellerslie feature races

Singapore Sling (black colours) beats Dating (centre) and Cool Storm. Photo / Supplied

Stephen McKee has often said Hoofit is always in for the fight.

It's a while since we've seen a fight like he and the joint favourite Sweet Suitor put in at the end of the $45,000 Geon Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday.

These were two brave thoroughbreds slugging it out in terribly testing conditions.

Hoofit got his head down and out in exactly the last stride after being locked in battle from the 300m.

"He's a tough horse that can just keep going," said a delighted McKee,

who trains the colt for Sir Patrick Hogan, Tony Timpson and Auckland Racing Club directors Peter Walker and Alistaire Sutherland.

Hoofit was so determined you almost had to feel sorry for Sweet Suitor and for part-owner Don Frampton.

"He's too brilliant for that ground," said co-trainer Graeme Rogerson, who has a huge opinion of Sweet Suitor.

Depending on progress the pair could meet again in the $1 million 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

Stephen McKee said that has to be the obvious target.

"It's the last time it's going to be a million dollars so anything that's going okay is going to be there.

"I'd probably look to run him in the Wellington Guineas as a lead-up, but not if the track's rain-affected.

"I don't want him having another gut-buster before Riccarton."

McKee said Hoofit was looking and feeling good about himself yesterday morning, despite his knock-down-drag-out performance.

"He's naturally strong and tough and being a colt he can take it.

"He was always going to have a couple of quiet days after this race and we'll just let him come back to us."

Hoofit's formline looks a little mixed on paper, but that masks some very good runs.

"He didn't have a lot of luck as a 2-year-old last season and he was still close up behind all the best juveniles."

Matt Cameron didn't get a lot of luck this time early in the race either when from a wide draw the pair was caught three deep.

Cameron moved Hoofit forward from the 700m, aware that the pattern had dictated you had to be in the first four or five around the bend as horses struggled to make ground late.

Despite being the widest on the home turn Hoofit kept going strongly and wore down an equally brave Sweet Suitor just in time.

Visitor Gold Card worked home strongly into a close third.

One of the great mysteries is why Singapore Sling decided to run off the track mid-race at Te Rapa at her previous start before Saturday's $45,000 Soliloquy Stakes.

The why paled almost into insignificance as Singapore Sling grabbed a last-stride victory over the hot favourite Dating.

It took the smile off a lot of Pick6 punters, but increased the beam co-owner and trainer Lisa Anderson was able to produce.

Comeback rider Vinny Colgan, injured for three months, was making his first appearance since the injury and produced half a smile, which widened after he'd emerged from the jockeys' room, his hydration and sugar levels elevated by the bottle of Coke he carried.

Retaining a riding weight or getting back to it through a three-month break in winter is a nightmare for most jockeys.

"I guess we'll never know what happened at Te Rapa, but we had two banks of vet tests done and they came up with nothing," said Anderson.

"I'm just pleased that ghost is behind us."

Singapore Sling is beautifully put together and light on her feet, but is not robust.

If she's lacking in strength it didn't show as she made a long run from the back of the field and then set out after Dating in the closing stages.

"He's a beautiful rider," said an enthused Anderson of Colgan.

He had to scrub Singapore Sling up at the 600m and for a few strides did not appear to make progress.

Once rolling though, she kept getting stronger through the final 200m and grabbed a brave Dating in the last gasp.

The $300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton beckons. "We haven't made definite plans and won't until we see how she's come through this.

"She looks fine in the paddock this morning, but we won't really know until we get on her back midweek.

"They're only 3 once though and you probably have to give them their chance.

"She'll probably go south and if she does she might run on the Monday of Labour Weekend at Te Rapa."

3-Y-O WINNERS

* Ellerslie results point to Hoofit and Singapore Sling having bright 3-year-old futures.
* There were also some excellent runs behind them.
* Sweet Suitor, Gold Card and Cool Storm looked good and Dating lost nothing in being beaten in the last bound.