Racing: Favourite track as trainer eyes jackpot

If there is one track Stephen Autridge loves training winners on more than most it is Matamata.

Add in the fact he has a serious shot at an $11,000 bonus for saddling three or more winners and you know why he arrives at his former home base today with an extra spring in his step.

Autridge and Sydney-based partner Graeme Rogerson attack in numbers with 10 of their Tuhikaramea team entered, although Gigante and the exciting two-year-old Oriental Miss are likely to be saved for Hastings tomorrow.

If they are going to crack the trainers' jackpot today, however, Autridge could have his hands on the cheque before he's saddled half of them.

While Autridge rates Lativa (race two) a winning chance if the rain comes, it's Love Beads (race four) who he's banking on kick-starting his hat-trick hunt.

The Elnadim filly almost pulled off some inspired stable support when second at Matamata on debut and Autridge says she's trained on the right way since.

"She hasn't got the best draw again but she does go forward and has to be hard to beat," he said.

Eros (race four) also looks perfectly placed to quit maidens after a close-up last-start fifth from a wide alley in a much stronger field at Te Rapa over 1400m.

"He really shouldn't have run last time from that draw," said Autridge.

"It was a top run to get as close as he did and with Eddie Lamb on board he's going to be hard to beat.

"He's going to be a handy horse who will win races."

Autridge said stablemate Tetranate could threaten in the same race, but is still a season short of his best form.

He likes promising two-year-old Alberto as a more serious winning chance in the next.

Autridge said the early Guineas type cost himself victory at Trentham last time out with greenness.

But with the experience behind Castlebar under his belt and the two alley to assist Autridge is confident the colt can stamp himself a long range black type contender today.

"I really like him," he said. "He's got to have benefited from the Trentham experience and his work since has been good."

Handy mare Wanaka (race 10) is the pick of the rest of Autridge's team. She's no champ but tries hard and has form on the course and at the distance.

Autridge said consistent stablemate D'Artagnan is likely to need the run in the same race and more ground than the 1400m before recording his second win.