Racing: Mare going for second

Upsetthym confirmed she is on track to attempt back-to-back Auckland Cup wins following an impressive performance behind Tantalic at Awapuni yesterday.

The six-year-old mare fought on gallantly to finish fourth in the $60,000 Manawatu Cup despite difficulties handling the wet track.

"It's a pity the track was ruined with all the rain because I thought she would've proved very difficult to beat in the Manawatu Cup," said trainer Karen Fursdon.

"Vinny Colgan [jockey] said she wasn't comfortable in the track conditions and couldn't stretch out properly but she hit the finishing line well to finish fourth.

"She had a little blow after the race and she seemed very bright so I'll get her home to Matamata and keep her ticking over before we go back to Ellerslie on January 1 chasing another Auckland Cup win.

"It's really only a matter of maintaining her fitness levels because she's raced in Sydney and Melbourne this season and has had plenty of racing.

"She's raced in the Melbourne Cup and is proven over 3200 metres so I think she will be in with a good chance in the Auckland Cup.

"I may even take her over to Rotorua with my horses that will race there on December 27.

"The trip away to Rotorua and having a workout around that big left-handed track will slot in nicely with her Cup preparation."

Upsetthym was in devastating form at the Ellerslie summer carnival last year producing a brutal home stretch sprint to effortlessly take out the 2004 Auckland Cup.

If this six-year-old mare is produced in similar fashion again in the 2005 running of the Auckland Cup there is every chance Fursdon can complete back-to-back victories in this Group One event.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY