Racing: Lotto winner chases Group 1 jackpot at Awapuni

Aalaalune will contest the Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m). Photo / Trish Dunell

Lotto winner Lou Te Keeti could be poised to strike it lucky again this weekend with a first Group 1 prize on the racing stage.

Te Keeti, from Tauranga, scooped $10.3 million in the Powerball jackpot in July 2017 and has invested part of his winnings in thoroughbreds. Young Matamata trainer Jacob McKay was entrusted with three of his horses and all are competing at Saturday's Awapuni meeting.

Aalaalune will contest the Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m), while Mr Universe and Vittachi will line up in a three-year-old 1200m and a rating 72 2200m event respectively.

McKay will also have a fourth runner at the meeting, Mighty Connor in the Group 3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m), with Lisa Allpress booked for the mount.

Aalaalune went down a short head to Yourdeel in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie last start and on that performance, as well as her big finishes for sixth and third in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and Group 2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes (1200m) respectively, she should appreciate the step up to 1400m on Saturday.

"She has been racing so well and deserves to win a good one," McKay said.

"She went so close in the Sistema. She tried so hard and the 1400m will be much better for her at Awapuni. Reese Jones will ride her again."

Aalaalune was given a brief let-up after the Sistema Stakes and McKay is pleased with her condition going into Saturday's Group 1 assignment.

"She did a bit of quiet half-pace on Saturday and I was really happy with her," he said. "It won't take much to have her spot on for the Sires. She's already race fit."

A win in the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes will be a milestone for McKay. He experienced Group 1 success with Puccini when training in partnership with his father, Peter, but a Group 1 win on his account will be a major boost to the 26-year-old's profile.

Aalaalune will be the main focus for McKay this weekend, but he also rates the prospects of his other three Awapuni starters.

Mighty Connor, a 3-year-old gelding by Sebring, quit maiden class at Taupo over 1800m last December and followed up with a couple of placings before finishing eighth in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa last month.

"He beat home Crown Prosecutor and Langkawi that day and the form out of that race is all around him. I'm expecting a bold run," McKay said.

Vittachi won three races for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman before changing hands and joining McKay's team. While he hasn't won for his new trainer, he has been placed in half of his eight outings from the stable.

"He's a promising stayer and I'd like to have a crack at the Rotorua Cup [Group 3, 2200m] with him, but he needs to win or go close on Saturday," McKay said.

Mr Universe has been placed in his two starts since his maiden win, the most recent a third over 1200m at Ellerslie earlier this month.

"He's a chance on Saturday," McKay said.

- NZ Racing Desk