TOMORROW's 1200-metre Hot Line Stakes might seem a tad short for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta's EXOTIC GOLD. However, the form showed by the filly against colts in her last two races, albeit at seven furlongs and a mile, respectively, suggests she should use her class to mow down rivals in the stretch run.

In fact, EXOTIC GOLD's only win in seven starts was at 1200 metres as a two-year-old last October, when she clocked a relatively slow 1:16.0 to beat LADY KANCHAN by two lengths.

She was widely expected to land that race and easily did so as a 2-5 favourite. When she returned two weeks later in the Cash Pot Trophy, the first leg of the Supreme Ventures Two-Year-Old Triple Crown series, she finished three and three quarters length third, at odds of 33-1, behind LADYLIKE and AWESOME CAMILLE in a fast 1:13.2.

EXOTIC GOLD went on to finish fourth behind EL PATRON in the 1400-metre Pick-3 Super Challenge on November 26, and third to ALL CORRECT in the Supreme Ventures Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile on Boxing Day.

less-heralded rivals

Having finished on the board in the three two-year-old classics last season, the grey filly is obviously the class horse tomorrow and gets a bonus sitting level at 57.0 kilos with her less-heralded rivals.

She has prepped nicely for the Hot Line Stakes, which is a warm-up for next month's 1400-metre Thornbird Stakes, before tackling the 1000 Guineas at a mile in April.

Last Saturday morning she galloped five and a half furlongs in 1:08.1, after keeping company with Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes winner and stablemate ALL CORRECT in three gallops last month, beating the colt twice.

The railbirds are head over heels with Gary Subratie's TRINITHETUTOR, a half sister to last year's Prince Consort Stakes winner, UNCLE KEN.

good half-mile

TRINITHETUTOR debuted at 1000 metres straight on January 21, beating PLEASURE TRAIN by two lengths in 1:00.3. She reports treated with lasix tomorrow and got a good half-mile Sunday morning, clocking 48.0 on the round course.

Subratie doesn't like having his horses lay it all down at exercise and must be pleased with that gallop. However, unless TRINITHETUTOR is something special, as in being able to beat the top colts and geldings, she will find EXOTIC GOLD too experienced and tough to topple.

Expect a real speed duel with DaCosta noticeably having the likes of POOCHIE LIU and TANTALOO in the event to ensure a honest pace for EXOTIC GOLD to run at.