By MIKE DILLON
Keith Hawtin is having a dollar each way bet at Matamata today.
He fancies his chances of winning a couple of races with "four strong chances", but does not want to think about taking the lead in the trainers' premiership, despite starting the day equal with Mark Walker.
The momentum is with the Hawtin/Rogerson stable, which came from the wings to join the pace with only a little more than two weeks of the season remaining, but Hawtin is wary.
"Last year we were only two wins off the McKees six weeks out and they suddenly went whoosh.
"I'd rather we were one in front than equal. If Mark wins two then suddenly we've got to win three to get in front."
Twelve Hawtin/Rogerson runners at Ruakaka on Saturday will provide enormous firepower, but the premiership bodyblow may well be delivered today.
Hawtin likes each of the four runners.
"Black Ledger in the last is a smart sort and he won't have a problem with the improved track conditions. Noel Harris said after he won in the heavy at Te Rapa that he felt like a hard tracker.
"Heart Of The Ocean (R5) is an honest horse who won well at Tauranga and the 2-year-old Tasman Raider (R2) was not that far away in a bit better field last start."
Tai Hape provides the stable with a strong hope in race eight, one of the best betting races of the day.
Walker has Te Akau Five in race one, improver Rose And Fern in the 2-year-old and the in-form runner Itti Bit in the last.
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