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David Walsh rides Sir Slick - Source: NZPA Images -
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The young pretender against the old warhorse - that's the best way to sum up the big clash in the $200,000 Whakanui Stud International Stakes at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Three-year-old Tell A Tale takes on the veteran Sir Slick in what promises to be an intriguing contest.
Tell A Tale has a notable change of rider for the race with champion jockey Michael Walker in the saddle on the Tale Of The Cat youngster for the first time.
Walker travelled up especially from New Plymouth to Matamata to ride Tell A Tale in a track gallop earlier this week and was very impressed with the workout.
Tell A Tale swept all before him in the three-year-old feature races earlier this season with a brace of wins which stamped him as a horse of the highest quality.
However, the bubble burst when he did take on the older horses in the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on January 1 and could only manage fifth on that occasion.
He then disappointed slightly when reverting to his own age group and finishing only fourth last time.
Saturday's race will prove a vital guideline in whether Tell A Tale should step up further in distance to 2400m to contest the Telecom Derby at Ellerslie later this month.
Sir Slick won this race two years ago and then finished runner-up last year behind three-year-old Mission Critical.
He returned to his best form with a fine win in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham. He has won five times over this 2000m journey.
Sir Slick will be ridden by highly experienced jockey David Walsh.
Other chances in this field are Veloce Bella and Six O'Clock News.
Another feature event on the programme is the Group 1 Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m).
Telegraph Handicap winner Mufhasa shapes up as the number one contender but he will have to be at his best to defeat the likes of Nom du Jeu and Ruud Van Slaats while Shanzero will also have plenty of admirers.
Selections:
1. Colorado, Vincent Mangano, Cape Point.
2. Starmon, Dementieva, Frivolous.
3. Oakmont, Wearemarshall, Dunixi.
4. Jungle Boots, Tonafun, Heat Haze.
5. Glamorous Girl, Alagant Satin, Juice.
6. Murphy, Kalanagra, Alexa.
7. Tell A Tale, Sir Slick, Veloce Bella.
8. Doyenne, Head On High, Calstreva.
9. Mufhasa, Nom Du Jeu, Ruud Van Slaats.
10. Occidentalis, Bibulous, The Pooka.
Best Bet: Jungle Boots
