Racing: Time for this guy to come out of his Shell

Interdominion aspirations became apparitions for Hide In Your Shell last season but trainer Peter Blanchard is still hopeful the Britewell six-year-old can make the top grade.

"He gives every indication he can make it," said Blanchard. "But until we get a few photos on the wall we can't say too much. He just needs to step up now."

Hide In Your Shell, who is sure to start favourite in race four at Alexandra Park tonight, joined Blanchard's stable after a rich run of form last winter.

During that time he claimed the scalps of open-class horses like Lanson, Glenbogle and Young Pointer and looked on a fast track to the top.

However, his progress was halted after he contracted a virus during a disastrous trip to Christchurch for Cup Week. The illness knocked Hide In Your Shell off his game for many months but Blanchard believes his charge may be getting back to peak form after a brave third when resuming last week.

"I was very happy with him going into the race," said Blanchard, "but maybe he was too well actually. He was a bit vulnerable first-up after he had to work during the race.

"This week the small field will suit him. If he gets a nice run through and gets a good sit he should be hard to beat."

Blanchard has a good chance of providing the quinella tonight, with Yummy Lace alone off the back mark of 30 metres.

The speedy daughter of Sundon hasn't raced in the four weeks since her last start win.

"We've kept her races well-spaced because she seems to go best when she's a bit fresh," said Blanchard.

"She hasn't had any trials but she's well. If they come up alright we might look towards Addington with both of them."

Tonight's race sets up particularly well for the Blanchard pair.

The two frontmarkers, Champagnat and Castleton Gold, haven't won for well over a year and are well out of form, while I'm A Nauti Boy resumed with an eighth last week and will probably take at least another run before threatening a field like this.

That only leaves two talented daughters of Sundon, Shine On Alisha and Without Fear, both of whom do have upset prospects.

At her last start Shine On Alisha got closest to Una Bromac, who franked that form with another dominant win last week.

The Richard Brosnan trained mare now seems to have adapted to racing at Alexandra Park after failing miserably in her first ten starts on the track.

For sheer ability the 2003 New Zealand Oaks winner Without Fear can definitely threaten but trainer Derek Balle warns that while the former Cantabrian will be improved from her first run since joining his stable, she still has some way to go.

"She's had soreness issues and came up here for the beach training and the swimming," said Balle.

"She had niggles in her front feet and a hock, and also had back problems caused by those things.

"Her attitude is getting better and the plan is to race her into fitness. She'll be improved but she'll still only be about 80 per cent fit," said Balle.