Racing: Weather to play part in Manawatu Cup

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Without question, rain and track conditions will determine the winner of tomorrow's $100,000 Hotel Coachman Manawatu Cup.

For starters, the possible favourite, northern mare Duquesa, will not run if rain falls at Manawatu from this point.

But stablemate Deliciano is a certain starter, regardless of track conditions.

And topweight Ransomed, the horse who was probably going to dispute favouritism with Duquesa, certainly won't start if the track gets to a slow 7.

Similarly, Ransomed's local trainer Gary Vile says his other two runners Anniestar and Dragon Beauty would be much more suited than Ransomed if significant rain arrives.

Co-trainer Steven Ramsay says he will be entirely happy with the chance of Deliciano on an "off" track.

"She can handle a wet track beautifully, but the other mare can't."

Duquesa is the veteran of only 14 raceday appearances and looks a staying mare of rare potential. It will take something from the race if she stays home in Cambridge.

Vile says his real wish is for there to be more pace on in this race than there was in the Cup Prelude last week.

"They crawled around and sprinted home and it made Ransomed's third placing a lot better than perhaps it looked. It would be a shame if New Zealand staying races developed along the same lines as they tended to in Sydney more than a decade back - sit-sprint affairs that greatly advantaged on-pace runners.

"If you had a good front-running stayer in New Zealand right now, you'd clean up," said Vile.

Anniestar had to make a wide sweeping run at the leaders on the home bend last week, which cost her dearly and her seventh placing was no disgrace.

If the rain arrives, Authentic Paddy will shorten in price in the other feature, the $70,000 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m).

Authentic Paddy led and set them up in the lead-up last week and went down narrowly to Salamanca under 59kg. He has 59kg this time, the difference being that last week's race was run under handicap conditions in which Authentic Paddy conceded some big weights and this time under weight-for-age he is at level weights with the rest of the field.

Rain would enhance his chances enormously.

At Te Rapa tomorrow, Veyron stands out in the $25,000 Lodge Real Estate 1600.

His 63kg reduces to 61kg with Jack Wong's apprentice allowance, but he is a big winner, has earned the weight and should cope with it. Asked why Veyron is tackling what to some would seem an odd type of race to put a million-dollar earner in, trainer Linda Laing said yesterday: "He needs a real good gallop before the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie and this race suits perfectly.

"He will enjoy a day out at the races and it will bring him along."

Laing said she had finally got Veyron where she needed him physically and believes he will be at absolute peak for the Zabeel Classic.

Course specialist Spin Doctor got back and ended up wide on the home bend when 11th in a fast-run 1400m last week under 59kg.

He will carry a more comfortable 56.5kg this time with an apprentice allowance and will be much better suited.

The connections of the well-performed Emerald Queen might look to Australia next year to further the mare's black type record.

Emerald Queen will resume in the Brent Read Retirement Home Open 1400 at Ashburton today, where she has a couple of wins and a placing to her credit. She will be ridden by the stable apprentice Doni Prastiyou.

Punting pointers
Should win: Authentic Paddy, Race 8 Manawatu. Better suited in the weights than when narrowly beaten last week. Prospect of rain would make him a special bet.
Each way: Emily Monk, Race 8 Te Rapa. Last-start win was no fluke. This field a bit tougher, but in for the fight.
Forgive: Chazelle, Race 5 Te Rapa. Beaten favourite at Ellerslie last start, but likely to be better here left-handed. Previous Te Rapa winner.

- Additional reporting, NZ Racing Desk