Champion jockey Michael Walker tipped Waikato trainer Keith Hawtin a winner last week and Hawtin liked what he heard.
It came after the running of the $40,000 Metropolitan Trophy Handicap at Riccarton last Saturday when Walker rode the Hawtin-trained Smiling Like into second placing.
Hawtin said the run prompted Walker to immediately claim Smiling Like as his mount for the $160,000 New Zealand Cup at Riccarton here in Christchurch tomorrow.
"He said 'I'm riding this, it wins'," Hawtin said yesterday.
"That's what he told me. I hope he's right."
Smiling Like's effort was probably the run of the race. The winner, Soldier Blue, also registered a top performance after being back in the field, but he had the advantage of receiving a good run along the inside.
Smiling Like, on the other hand, was briefly held up for a run and was switched to the outside before storming home to be only a length from Soldier Blue at the finish.
Hawtin said Smiling Like had long shown the potential to win an important race. At the age of six, and down in the cup weights at 53kg, she had the best opportunity yet.
"I've always said she would win a big one," Hawtin said.
"It's the first time everything has gone right and because she had only won three races, it hasn't been easy to get into the big races.
"But she get's her chance on Saturday. You would think if she was ever going to get a good one, this would be it. She's at the right age and well down in the weights."
Hawtin, who trains in partnership with Graeme Rogerson, said he had confidence Smiling Like would see out the 3200m journey of the cup.
The Star Way mare was a winner over 2400m at Trentham last January and the way she ran out the 2500m in last Saturday's race suggested another 700m was within grasp. Hawtin said Smiling Like also had the racing style to cope with 3200m.
"It shouldn't worry her at all. She has travelled beautifully in her races," he said. "Ride her cold, show her daylight the last 400 and she can get home."
One of the cup favourites is the Roger James-trained Java Siang. She was running home well for fifth in the Metropolitan Trophy last Saturday and has a touch of class about her.
The Desert Sun five-year-old mare has won four times from 20 starts and was considered good enough to embark on a Queensland Oaks campaign two years ago but was dogged by a succession of wet tracks.
Long distances seem to suit her. She was fourth in the New Zealand St Leger (2500m) for three and four-year-olds at Trentham last March and the following month was second over 2500m at Riccarton.
The South Island's best hopes appear to rest with Bonsai Pipeline and Music Man.
Bonsai Pipeline showed he was far from a spent force at the age of nine when third in the Metropolitan Trophy. Two years ago was second to Sapio in the New Zealand Cup.
Music Man was a useful sixth in the Metropolitan Trophy and is easily the biggest winner in the cup field. He has won 11 times from 51 starts.
Music Man was unplaced at his only attempt at 3200m in last year's Wellington Cup but at the age of seven is more mature for such an assignment.
- NZPA
Racing: Walker word puts smile on face
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