Racing: Grand occasion for Mitchell looms at Hawera

Prime Power driven by Todd Mitchell. Photo / Fiona Goodall

For the first time in his career Todd Mitchell will make a long trek to the races today and not really mind if he returns winless.

While he will be out there doing his best at Hawera, the Cambridge reinsman realises a winless day could set him up for a special moment at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

Mitchell, winner of four New Zealand Cups, goes into today's low-grade grass track meeting on 999 career wins in New Zealand, needing one more to join the greats in the 1000-win club.

Reaching such a milestone in front of a few hundred people at Hawera during a barely watched Thursday meeting is hardly the stuff of dreams.

Still, he wouldn't be in bad company. Maurice McKendry joined the even more elite 3000-win club at Thames on a Sunday this year and just a few days ago Chris Johnson racked up win 2000 at Waipukurau.

Mitchell admits he would prefer the big one to come at Alexandra Park tomorrow night with his own stable star Prime Power in the first race.

"That would be great because he is the horse who flies our flag at the moment," says Mitchell.

"But I'll take any win I can get, so if it comes at Hawera well and good because this has been a goal of mine for a while and I'll be happy just to get it."

So will the man known as The Wizard become Mr 1000 today?

"I don't really know," he said.

"I am not on any stars but they are all racing horses of similar ability down there so most of them could win. I think it will come down to getting the right run."

He rates Lisdelight (R5) as one of his best chances, providing he gets a fair crack from one on the second line.

"And Handlebar Hank (R8) has a good chance because he is a downgrader also.

"So I have some decent chances."

However, if the win doesn't come today it should open tomorrow night's Alexandra Park meeting with a bang as Prime Power looks a winner after a near-national record performance last start.