Racing: Hoping their luck can turn

Success for David Haworth and Matt Dixon at Hastings today would provide the training duo with a measure of compensation after a tough week.

The Foxton trainers had the misfortune to lose the services on Wednesday of the promising four-year-old Irish Dream, a mare considered to be a black type performer of the future.

"She's broken down in the knee, it's a real shame - she was a very good horse," Haworth said.

A sister to the group two Brisbane Cup winner and group one Caulfield Cup placegetter Tullamore, the Savabeel mare won three times from 10 starts.

Irish Dream had been preparing for the Hawke's Bay meeting and in her absence stable representative Skittle can give the team a much-needed boost when she steps out in the Mid-Winter Christmas At The Races Handicap.

She has been in the money in both starts this preparation and will drop back from an open class fourth to Jack's Point at Trentham to Rating 85 company.

"She's going along nicely and should go pretty well," Haworth said.

"She's only a little mare and probably lacks half a gear. She's got to be ridden just off the pace so she can kick and Buddy [Lammas] knows her."

The stable also has dual maiden acceptor Jazz Rock at Hastings and the choice of event will be determined by the weather.

"She's only little, but she goes well," Haworth said.

"If it doesn't rain we'll start her in the 1400 metre race and if it does she'll run over 1200 metres."

The team is completed by Mr Handsomelad, who will make a fresh start against the Rating 65 sprinters.

Haworth is hoping for a reasonable track for the four-year-old to be seen to his best advantage. NZ Racing Desk