Sizzling sectionals could Tell A Tale of Riccarton success

An ability to run sizzling sectionals could see Matamata galloper Tell A Tale successful in tomorrow's Gr II $250,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton.

Trainer Mark Walker was thrilled with Tell A Tale's progress ahead of tomorrow's feature and was buoyed by his vital statistics which show the Tale Of The Cat four-year-old gelding's Riccarton track record to be three wins from three attempts and his 1600m record to be four wins from six starts.

"A lot depends on the tempo of the race and how good Wall Street is. That horse just keeps taking the next step up,'' Walker said today.

"But my horse can run great sectionals and that means he can come from impossible positions to win. He's in for a great season.''
Walker said he had given last year's Gr I 2000 Guineas winner a 10-day break after he failed on a slow track in the Gr I Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings in September and he had "just bloomed'', returning with a last start win at Riccarton last month.

Walker will also be represented in the Coupland's Mile through Minqar Qaim, a winner of his last four races and a lightweight chance with just the 52kg minimum weight to carry.

Stablemates Santagelo and Snipza Gold - in foal to Darci Brahma - will contest the Gr III Stewards Stakes (1200m) and Listed Canterbury Breeders' Stakes (1400m) respectively.

- © Fairfax NZ News