Racing: Wisecrack up to mark

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When it comes to emerging stayers, nothing is more critical than the sense of timing.

The timing of Wisecrack as the favourite for tomorrow's $85,000 Cardinal Logistics Avondale Gold Cup at Ellerslie has been minute-perfect.

Perhaps typical of the overall lack of depth in our stayers, Wisecrack was having his first start in open company when he justified favouritism to win at Te Rapa last Saturday week.

That was nowhere near as important as the opinion of James McDonald, who said the victory showed the High Chaparral 4-year-old had gone to a different level in terms of ability, not just in the class he was tackling.

"James was very pleased with that run," said co-trainer Ken Kelso.

"He felt the horse had definitely jumped up to a new level."

This is not a field of superstars and Wisecrack looks to have a definite edge on most of them.

If there is a slight air of caution it is around the No 1 draw, not ideal for a horse who likes to get out and get going with his stretching stride.

If McDonald has one real ability - and of course there are many - it's taking the luck factor out of a racefor his mount. He will alreadyhave several contingencies in place for this barrier draw.

Ken and Bev Kelso are not ruling out the Auckland Cup for Wisecrack, but neither are they committing the horse at this point.

"We are very mindful of the fact he's an immature 4-year-old and that we will not overtax him too soon."

Ken Kelso was delighted with James McDonald's report when he galloped the stayer at Matamata this week and is wishing now only for decent footing.

"It's up to James and the horse now, but he does need a good surface."

Fellow Matamata trainer Graham Richardson has three runners: Single Minded and Top Spot, who finished first and third in the City Of Auckland Cup, and Don Domingo.

Single Minded's subsequent fourth to Six O'Clock News in the Wellington Cup only enhanced his prospects for this race.

By comparison, Top Spot comes in on a favourable level.

She carried 54.5kg in the City of Auckland Cup, the same weight as Single Minded did in winning.

He, this time, has 55.5kg, or 1kg more, and Top Spot has 2.5kg less, a 3.5kg swing around.

At the end of a tough 2400m, that is a significant weight differential.

Don Domingo has been a bit of an enigma, but a couple of his runs have hinted once again at his true ability.

The best chance for The Jungle Boy would be if the showers continued and there was yield in the track.