Racing: Weather may decide cup run for Booming

Zavite leads Booming (blue and black diagonals) back to scale after the Auckland Cup. Photo / Natalie Slade

SYDNEY - Manawatu trainer Jeff Lynds remains non-committal on the prospects of his good stayer Booming backing up in next Saturday's Sydney Cup after his bold finish for third in the Japan Racing Association Plate at Randwick on Saturday.

Booming impressed over the shorter 2000m distance, finishing strongly behind the classy former New Zealand-trained stayer Herculian Prince and English import Above Average.

Lynds, who later watched his 5-year-old gelding Wall Street finish 11th in the group one Doncaster Mile, said a final decision on a crack at the Sydney Cup (3200m) would be made later in the week.

"We're in two minds on whether we start the horse in the cup or not," said Lynds yesterday.

"It will depend on what develops during the week in terms of his recovery."

Lynds was optimistic Booming could recover sufficiently from his first outing since finishing second to Zavite in the Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on March 10.

However, the step up to his favoured 3200m distance could be reliant on weather and track conditions.

"He's up to the class all right but it's quite important conditions suit him. There could be rain during the week and that wouldn't help," he said.

Booming was a $15 Sydney Cup chance with Australia's TAB Sportsbet yesterday, with another New Zealand raider Harris Tweed at $10. The Bart Cummings-trained Precedence was a $7 favourite.

Lynds will also be on weather watch this week for his top weight-for-age performer Vosne Romanee, set to line up in the group one Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) next Saturday.

Vosne Romanee is scheduled to arrive in Sydney today, with Opie Bosson confirmed as the rider.

"He's done well and if he gets track conditions to suit him he will be a chance," Lynds said.

"He likes it firm."

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Herculian Prince improved his record to seven wins from 11 starts, leading all the way to finish 1 lengths clear of Above Average, with Booming a long-neck further back.

Lynds was also pleased with Wall Street's run in the Doncaster although he never threatened the triumphant Rangirangdoo and minor placegetters Road To Rock and Brilliant Light during the 1600m feature.

After recording eight wins in 13 starts, Wall Street found the going tough on his first transtasman trip, though Lynds refused to be critical.

"It was his first run right handed, technically that's a pretty hard thing for him to do. He performed quite admirably for his first trip here."

The Doncaster marked the end of Wall Street's campaign - he was also among the nominations for the Sydney Cup but will return home to freshen up for a return to racing in the spring.

Meanwhile, former Foxton-based trainer Chris Waller is preparing to chase another group one success with Rangirangdoo at Randwick next Saturday after indicating he may line up in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Waller was elated after a week of court drama concerning who would ride Rangirangdoo culminated in Nash Rawiller piloting the 5-year-old to a half-neck victory over Road To Rock.

Rawiller was embroiled in a tug-of-war between Waller and rival trainer Gai Waterhouse in the lead-up after he accepted the ride on Rangirangdoo after believing Waterhouse's big hope Theseo would not line up.

Waterhouse made a late call to include Theseo and then tried to get her stable jockey Rawiller on board.

Waller, who also had Danleigh and 2008 Doncaster winner Triple Honour in the field, was conciliatory after Rangirangdoo avenged two group one defeats to Theseo.

"I would have done exactly the same thing in her spot," said Waller, before crediting Rawiller.

"It was a 10-out-of-10 ride and that's why we both wanted him to ride our horses."

Danleigh and Triple Honour ran fifth and seventh respectively.

"I couldn't tell you anything about the other two," Waller said.

Danleigh is also likely to back up on Saturday in the All Aged Stakes (1400m).

- NZPA