By MIKE DILLON
Tony Cole has one big tip for the $25,000 Pakuranga Hunt Cup tomorrow - he says dismiss thoughts that his star jumper Royal Ways is just a mudder.
Cole believes his Mercedes Great Northern winner can complete a notable double even if the Ellerslie footing gets back to easy.
"He used to be a mudder, but like a lot of horses, he is better now on slightly improved ground."
Actually, Cole had two tips.
He also declares Royal Ways to be better now than at any previous stage of his career, and that includes leading up to his Mercedes win in June.
"He is very, very well. In fact, he is exceptionally well," said Cole last night.
"His work this morning was something else - it is the best I have ever felt him.
"He is working like a 2-year-old."
Royal Ways carried 63.5kg to win the Mercedes and has to carry 65kg this time, not an impossible task for a horse who has won New Zealand's premier jumping race for the past two years.
He carried 61.5kg in last year's Pakuranga Hunt Cup and failed by one length to pick up the Browne runner Drops O' Rain, who carried the same weight.
Royal Ways will be going out for a spell after this race.
The idea is to have him back in work in time for a six-month lead-in to attempting to win a third Mercedes, and emulate the feat achieved by the mighty Hunterville.
Of the other candidates tomorrow, Reb's Shu is such a dashing jumper and bold mover that he rates highly even at this level.
He has done well, when you consider that he has had very little experience at this level.
There was a lot to like about the way he dug in to beat Gold Story at Te Rapa last start and that was despite Gold Story hampering his chances by running erratically.
Racing: Royal Ways not just a mudder
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