Good race might put City Slicker in Auckland Cup
WELLINGTON: A tilt at the Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next month is on the line for City Slicker at Wingatui tomorrow.
The 5yrold mare is slated for a late nomination for the feature twomile race.
She will need to perform well in tomorrow’s Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) to warrant the late payment.
The daughter of Shocking has won two of her last three starts and Kelvin Tyler, who trains in partnership with his daughter Aimee, said the track conditions did not suit his mare last start in the Waikouaiti Cup (2200m), where she was 12th.
“The track was way too hard, so hopefully they have put some water on this time because that’s not acceptable to race on,” he said.
“I know it is summertime, but we want a little bit of give in the tracks. I have put concussion plates on this time, but hopefully there is a bit more give in the ground.”
City Slicker has drawn barrier 8, and Tyler is happy with that.
“It will be a good draw for us. She got on the fence last time which is a nogo for her. This time we will be keeping away from the fence, hopefully, and giving her some clear air.
‘‘She is a big striding horse and needs a bit of room to get going.”
The Auckland Cup is still in the plans for City Slicker, but Tyler is looking for a solid performance this weekend in order to carry on down that path.
“It is still on the cards for her, but she has to perform this week.’’
Two races later Tyler will have a twopronged attack in the group 3 Weight For Age (1600m) with laststart winners Kilowatt and He’s Got Power.
“Kilowatt is back in distance because I feel he’s not a real true stayer.
“He has probably got too much brilliance to be a stayer. He won’t be without a chance at all, he is a pretty good horse.
“He’s Got Power, there’s no race for him in the next five weeks so I thought we would roll the dice and give him a chance. I can’t fault his work since his last win. He is worthy of a run.” — NZ Racing Desk