Walker holds aces

Matamata trainer Mark Walker says it would take a photo-finish camera to split his top pair for tomorrow's Gr I $200,000 Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Walker will saddle three runners in the two-year-old feature - last start Gr III Taranaki 2yo Classic winner Icepin, Miss Thorn and King's Rose, third and fifth respectively in the Gr II Matamata Breeders' Stakes last start.

The trio brings good form to the race but Walker is favouring Icepin and King's Rose as his two top chances, and he believes both are capable of winning.

''There's probably only a short half head between King's Rose and Icepin,'' Walker said yesterday.

''They've all drawn out a bit which is going to make it tough but we've just got to hope that after three days racing [at Ellerslie's Auckland Cup week] the fence is off a bit and the winners are coming a bit wider.

''Icepin is a good tough horse and he'll give his best again, and King's Rose is potentially a very good filly. They are both winning chances if the get the right run. Miss Thorn may need rain.''

The Diamond Stakes is something of a sentimental race for Walker after Maroofity's 2003 win in the race, then known as the Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes, gave him his first Gr I training success.

Walker, four times New Zealand's champion trainer, will tomorrow seeking his 21st Gr I win, with Tell A Tale also seeking elite level success in the $200,000 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.

Last year's Gr I 2000 Guineas winner Tell A Tale brings a formidable formline to the weight-for-age feature, having finished third in the Gr I Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie, fourth in the Gr I Thorndon Mile at Trentham, second in the Gr I Darci Brahma International Stakes at Te Rapa and fourth in the Listed Stanley Group Stakes at Matamata in his last four starts.

''He's still not quite up to weight-for-age level yet but he will be next year. But I still think he's capable of winning it with the right run,'' Walker said.

Meanwhile, Walker said Hamilton vet Douglas Black would inspect Zarzuela tomorrow ahead of a decision on the Zabeel filly's autumn programme.

Zarzuela finished fourth in last Saturday's Gr I New Zealand Derby as second favourite and the original plan was to have her head to Sydney for the Gr I Storm Queen Stakes and Gr I AJC Oaks next month.

However, after the Derby, Walker was swinging towards a preference of starting the David Paykel-owned Zarzuela in the New Zealand Oaks to allow her a longer winter break.

''We'll make a decision tomorrow afternoon. Douglas Black will come out and we'll trot her up in front of him and if he's happy and I'm happy we'll press on for Wellington,'' Walker said.

''If she goes to Trentham, she can probably have six to eight weeks in the paddock, while if she goes to Sydney she will probably have just four weeks out [before returning to work in preparation for a spring campaign].

''She also needs really good ground and it can get wet in Sydney at that time of the year.''

The Derby has not been a lucky race for Walker and nothing changed on Saturday, with the rub of the green going against the stable second string Martial Art.

Martial Art was checked and almost dislodged rider Vinnie Colgan with about 1200m to run, before making ground late to finish sixth, albeit beaten more than five lengths.

''It [the check] cost him running in the money, for sure,'' Walker said. ''We will spell him now and give him a chance to strengthen.''

However, Walker's day last Saturday was not without some reward, as Posavina, aided by an smart ride from David Walsh, beat the Shaune Ritchie-trained Oaks favourite Keep The Peace in the Gr III Lowland Stakes (2000m) at Hastings.

Posavina, who set the pace, slipped clear on the turn and Keep The Peace was the only rival to even mount a challenge.

Posavina was the less favoured of Walker's two Lowland runners, with stablemate Corsage, making ground for fourth. She backed up with a third placing in Wednesday's Listed Sunline Vase at Ellerslie.
 Posavina had finished sixth in the Gr II Sir Tristram Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa at her previous start and will strengthen Walker's hand in the New Zealand Oaks.

''She has kept improving and is bred to stay,'' Walker said.
''She has always shown some ability and it was a good ride [in the Lowland] as well.''

Posavina, who is raced by the Vela brothers, is a half-brother to Stalking and from the first Australian crop sired by the Danehill horse Tiger Hill, who began his stud career in Germany.  

- © Fairfax NZ News