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Confidence in Sofia Rosa; Kawi out to beat favourite hoodoo; Smart mare ready for return; Big crowd for Ellerslie

Confidence in Sofia Rosa

Stephen Marsh is expecting Sofia Rosa to go close to winning the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie on Saturday.

“The step up from 1300 to 1600 metres will be ideal for her,” the Cambridge trainer said. “She’s classy and I think she can do the job.”

Marsh will also be represented by Ruud Not Too, who is unbeaten this campaign after wins at Te Aroha and Te Rapa.

“She’s done nothing wrong this time in,” he said. “They are both very good chances, but on experience I’d put Sofia Rosa just on top.”

Kawi out to beat favourite hoodoo

Kawi will have to beat the record book at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Favourites usually have a good record in Group One weight-for-age races, but this has not been the case with the Zabeel Classic.

Kawi, who firmed to be a $3.50 favourite on Thursday, is attempting to become the first favourite to win the Ellerslie feature since it was switched to Boxing Day, in 2005.

Five favourites have run second over that period, but none has been able to win and six of the past 10 winners have been at double-figure odds.

The beaten favourites include Xcellent, who was at $1.80 when finishing second to Sir Slick in 2007.

Smart mare ready for return

One of the undercard stars of the New Zealand Cup carnival is ready to give a strong account of herself when she resumes at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Vive La Difference hasn’t raced since she collected two wins and a second placing at Riccarton, but she is forward to return in Saturday’s Rating 85 sprint.

“The 1400 metres looks ideal for her,” co-trainer Jamie Richards said. “She has been set for this race and she should go well fresh.”

Big crowd for Ellerslie

Infield tickets only are available for Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

“There has been huge demand,” Auckland Racing Club chief executive Cameron George said. “We sold out our hospitality areas some time ago.

“There’s an awful lot of people all geared up for a great day at Ellerslie.”