Racing: Veteran trainer in demand

Daffodil was yesterday the $3 favourite to win tomorrow's $1.2 million Kelt Capital Stakes.

Unlike most of his colleagues, that's not a position trainer Kevin Gray likes to be in.

The veteran Gray declared yesterday he's been overwhelmed by the number of media interviews he's had to do in the past four or five days.

"It's nearly driven me mad," said Gray from Woodville races yesterday.

"Yesterday, I had five calls from the Australian media with people saying 'you're the favourite, you'll be winning'. That's not something I'm comfortable with.

"I much prefer being the underdog and coming up underneath them."

Gray won the Kelt Capital in 2006 with Legs, going into the race virtually unheralded, a position he loves.

"No one took any notice of us before that race and it felt wonderful."

Gray knew it would be different this time after Daffodil came back to group one-winning form in the $220,000 Windsor Park Plate two weeks ago.

The Australian interest is sparked because Daffodil won the AJC Oaks in Sydney in the autumn and, safely through tomorrow's race, will be aimed at the Caulfield Cup and possibly the Melbourne Cup.

"The Australians are very keen to build her up for the Caulfield Cup, but I tried to steady it down by telling everyone that she has to race up to her best to justify the trip to Melbourne - and she does."

Gray said that even when he arrived at Woodville races yesterday it was difficult.

"I know people mean well, but everyone was saying, 'you'll win, you'll win'. I hope they're right, but let's get the race over with.

"If she's beaten I'll be the first one there to congratulate the winner."

Gray said he's pleased about one aspect - he never gets pressure from principal owner, Waikato Stud's Garry Chittick.

"I never hear from Garry and that's the No 1 thing for me."

Gray says he concentrates only on his own horse and when asked yesterday did not have a firm opinion on who might he the toughest to beat in one of New Zealand's icon horse races.

"I never worry about the others, I just try and get my horse there the best way possible."

Yes, Gray is delighted with how Daffodil has trained on.

"She's a mare you only have to keep up to the mark once she's fit. You don't have to do a lot with her."

Daffodil will be greatly suited by the step to 2040m and by the almost certain cut in the track.

The classy mare does not exclusively require give in the footing, but it does help her action and, more importantly on this occasion, a moving track would almost certainly put some players out of action.