Racing: Rivals can chew over this news

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Yulestar is ready to return to the winner's circle - and that is straight from the horse's mouth.

No, the Interdominion champion hasn't added talking to his list of super-equine feats.

But his trainer, Lorraine Nolan, has been convinced since his unlucky fresh-up run in the Spring Cup two weeks ago that Yulestar would return to Alexandra Park a far fitter horse tonight.

And she got some unsolicited confirmation of that on Wednesday.

"I was getting his teeth done by Vern Trillo and he remarked how well the horse was.

"He said he could tell by the colour of his gums," said Nolan.

"I have to agree with him because while I haven't been looking at his gums, I know Yuley, and he is a lot fitter for that first-up run."

If gum colouration and personal opinion aren't enough to make you want to part with your hard-earned cash tonight, how about something a little more concrete.

Like a sizzling final workout.

Yulestar topped off his preparation for tonight's 2700m event by pacing his last 400m in 27 seconds at Hawera on Wednesday.

"That is a great time for him because he was working three carts off the fence and the grass is very long.

"He has really been full of himself since that first run and we knew he was going to need that but his work since has been great."

Nolan was happy with driver Tony Shaw's conservative approach to the Spring Cup, where Yulestar was driven for luck on the markers, but says she expects more aggression from Shaw tonight.

"I will be telling Tony he is ready to win because I believe he is. This is a good stake [$30,000] and I want to win it."

Standing in Yulestar's way as he tries to improve a surprisingly moderate Alexandra Park record is Barry Purdon.

The champion trainer lines up three, headed by Holmes D G with able support from Pic Me Pockets and Mike's Pal.

Holmes D G is chasing his third victory in this race and has an exceptional second-up record. His was the run of the race when second to Classic Turbo here last start and Purdon says he will strip a fitter horse tonight.

"He will be at least two lengths better tonight but so will the rest of them."

Purdon says luck will play a key role in the small field which, because of the handicap conditions, could end up in single file for the first lap at least.

"If that happens it will be a matter of who moves first. I would love to follow a horse like Yulestar and I know they would probably like to follow me.

"But at this level you can't give the horses in front too much of a start so it is going to be a tough race to win."

Purdon rates Pic Me Pockets a threat to the millionaire backmarkers, and was also happy with Mike's Pal's last-start effort.

Pic Me Pockets in particular could be the value runner tonight. He was checked early in the Spring Cup but staged a good recovery and would be hard to catch if he leads tonight.

He is also just as potent from the trail, as he has shown in winning races like the Messenger and Franklin Cup in the last 18 months.

Mike's Pal was unlucky when denied racing room late in the Spring Cup. He will be the fittest horse in tonight's race but has looked vulnerable in staying races in the past, so would need an economical run to win.

While a lot of interest will centre on the return of the 1999 New Zealand Cup winner, Homin Hosed, his driver, Todd Mitchell, believes the gelding will need at least this run and probably another before his fitness reaches a competitive level. But fellow Waikato pacer Facta Non Verba could be a dark horse if he steps better than he did in the Spring Cup.