Southerners can reign supreme

SOUTHLAND horses look to have a better chance than ever to win the Southern Supremacy Stakes final at Ascot Park tomorrow.

Southlanders have won just one of the past 11 editions of their premier event for 3yrold male pacers. But Duke Of Wellington, Franco Santino, Mighty Conqueror and Kilowatt Kid look perfectly placed to fend off the northern raiders this year.

Their chances have been aided by their No 1 Canterbury challenger, The Bus, being handed a tricky draw on the inside of the second row.

Duke Of Wellington heads the list of local hopes. Trained at Winton by Lauren Pearson, he has progressed remarkably recently.

The 3yrold has also been handed a secondrow draw, but Pearson is not concerned about that.

‘‘I think the secondrow draw is actually going to help him over the 2700m as he’s not going to have to work too hard early,’’ she told The Informant.

There is no disputing the talent Franco Santino and Mighty Conqueror bring to the race. They have had just a handful of starts but have raced against topline 3yrolds.

Kilowatt Kid heads the other Southern hopes and has the advantage of barrier 1.

Southlanders have a handy recent record in the group 2 Southland Oaks, thanks to wins by the likes of Beaudiene Bad Babe and Jumpforjoy.

Temuka filly Machitelli is a leading contender, despite hav

ing drawn the outside of the front lineand an unflattering formline.

Trainer Brent White is leaving the race tactics up to driver Stephen McNally.

‘‘It [the draw] just makes that the wee bit harder. I have sometimes found that if you make too many plans they come unstuck, so it will be up to the driver.’’

If luck was on her side Machitelli could make her presence felt, White said.

‘’To be fair, there are no big bangers in there, so everyone has a chance, and in our case it depends on how much work we do or don’t do to get in the race at some stage.’’

Machitelli has not raced since March 23 but has had two recent trials. In the latest, she went to the line untested behind boom 2yrold Jesse Duke.

‘‘Her trial two weeks ago was nice and [after] her one last week behind Jesse Duke, Stephen [McNally] was really happy with her,’’ White said.

Fellow Canterbury raider Dibaba has a much more flattering formline and will be much favoured. Her laststart win, in which she beat middlegrade pacers in a slick time at Addington, puts her good stead for the race.

Southern hopes in the race are headed by the Paul Ellistrained Bettorthanbrie who, like The Bus, has to contend with drawing the inside of the second row.

The group 3 2yrold event is headed by the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussentrained A Bettor Act.

❛ I think the secondrow draw is actually going to help him over the 2700m as he’s not going to have to work too

hard early Lauren Pearson talking about Duke Of

Wellington