Racing: Puttanesca hopes to star at Hollywood

It's the rarest of racing doubles, but one which Matamata trainer Wayne Hills is confident he can achieve with Puttanesca.

One of New Zealand's top 3-year-old fillies will go from the $8000, rating 80, Bob Tait Memorial Cup (1600m) at Ruakaka tomorrow to the group one US$700,000 ($1.1 million) American Oaks (2000m) at Hollywood Park, within three weeks.

And befitting the occasion, big-race Australian jockey Glen Boss has been booked for the July 5 ride.

It's not new ground for Hillis after he took Boulevardofdreams to Los Angeles for the same grass track race in 2004, and finished seventh after a third in the AJC Oaks in Sydney.

"This filly will be a lot better suited than Boulevardofdreams," said Hillis yesterday.

"The race suits a mile-to-2000m horse with a turn of foot, rather than a grinding stayer. It's quite a tight, turning track over there. She's definitely a good chance."

Hillis will also be hoping to go one better than the last Australasian raider to tackle the American Oaks, trainer David Hayes' filly Anamato who finished a close third two years ago.

It will also be Puttanesca's last run for Hillis.

The filly's new owner, Hong Kong-based Y.K. Wong, bought her from Morrinsville owner-breeders Scott and Katie Eagleton just before the New Zealand Derby in March with a view to the American Oaks, and a future racing career for a new trainer in the US.

"He races a few horses in the States and this is the race he wanted to target," Hillis said.

Boss was booked at the owner's request after top Victorian-based riders Craig Williams and Michael Rodd turned down the mount.

The three-time Melbourne Cup winner described Puttanesca as "a live chance" and said he planned to ride at Hollywood Park on July 4 to familiarise himself.

"I've never ridden in the States before and I jumped at the chance. It's always been a goal of mine to ride over there," Boss said.

Puttanesca, by Bertolini, has earned $126,000 from 10 New Zealand starts, with one of her two wins in the group two Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on January 1. There were also group placings in the Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni, the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham and the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa.

Hillis will be surprised if Puttanesca doesn't win at Ruakaka tomorrow with 58kg, after she stormed home for second over 1400m first-up on the same track on May 27.

"She definitely should have won. The rider [James McDonald] dropped the stick. I'd expect her to win this week."

Puttanesca is booked to fly out on June 29.

Meanwhile, Hillis' two Queensland winter carnival horses Izonit and Lauaki returned home for spells after frustrating campaigns marred by wet tracks.

Izonit finished fifth to Court Ruler in the Queensland Derby on June 6 on an unsuitable heavy track and will be prepared for the Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings in October.

- NZPA