Racing: Premiership contenders get chance to close in on leader

About the only thing heating up at this stage of the season is the race for the trainers' premiership.

With less than two months remaining, defending champions Stephen Autridge and Graeme Rogerson are just three adrift of arch-rival Mark Walker with 72 victories.

And with two serious win chances at Te Aroha today - Uncovered and Buena Ventura - Autridge is confident the Tuhikaramea team can shave that to one.

"We've made up our mind to have a crack at the premiership and I'd hate to get that close and not get it," said Autridge.

"This time, more so than ever before, we've got the horses going good in the mud."

Uncovered and Buena Ventura are classic examples.

Autridge believes Uncovered, a winner of three in heavy ground, is near his peak for today's feature flat contest despite being yet to hit form this time in.

The son of Avondale Cup winner Eva Grace has improved with each of his three warm-ups and has everything in his favour to record a fifth career victory.

"His last two runs haven't been too bad and he's got blinkers and Opie Bosson on for this one," said Autridge.

"When he does come right he can win two in a row."

Autridge said Buena Ventura needed only luck to round out his consistent form.

The Colombia three-year-old was squeezed out of a winning slot at Paeroa's first corner last time out and did well to run Our Cashman so close under 58kg.

With the same weight again Autridge said Buena Ventura needed everything to go his way today, but was confident he had the measure of this field if that happened.

"He's a lovely little horse who tries his heart out - I just hope it's his day," he said.

Autridge expected a big run from stablemate Ave Maree but warned there was still a little improvement yet in the mare second-up.

The best of Autridge's other runners could be Pelorus Jack in race eight. His form looks ordinary, but Autridge is hoping a change in trackwork routine may have switched the talented four-year-old back on.

"Two starts back I thought it was just a case of taking him to the races to win," admits Autridge.

"He's been working the joint down at home, but going to the races for a quiet day out."

Autridge rated Sozinho a rough hope in the same race. The Cullen three-year-old ranged up like he could win fresh-up in similar class at Paeroa and has improved with the run.