Racing: Stronger Hughie Green has eye on Cup

Maurice McKendry trys to control his horse Hughie Green during the Sires Stakes Final in 2014. Photo / Getty

If you are concerned about returning giant Hughie Green being thrown against some hardened stars at Alexandra Park tonight consider this - in six weeks he could be in the Auckland Cup.

That is the revelation from trainer Brian Hughes, who admits the four-year-old excitement machine will be nominated for the great race on December 31.

Hughie Green was one of the most talented yet costly three-year-olds of last season, good enough to beat Ohoka Punter at his best, immature enough to almost end up on the greyhound track inside Addington during the Sires' Stakes Final.

But his classic season confirmed he had a massive motor and Hughes says he now has the physique to match.

"He has definitely got bigger and stronger," Hughes told the Herald.

"I used to be able to just see over his wither but not any more. He would be at least 17 hands.

"I think he has matured with it and grown into himself but of course they always improve with a bit of racing.

"But he has had three workouts and he is ready to race. If he steps away he will be hard to beat."

Hughes says the 3200m standing start of the revamped Cup at Alexandra Park on December 31 is a target for Hughie Green even though he goes into tonight's comeback assessed as just a c3 pacer.

"We will nominate because if you don't then you have to make a late payment to be eligible.

"I am not saying he will start in the Cup but after watching the New Zealand Cup last week I think he is as good as most of them for sure.

"So we will see what happens in the next month."

While he meets some talented opposition, perhaps only Besotted among his rivals tonight has anything like Hughie Green's raw ability and he has to give him a 30m start.

That is possibly balanced out by Hughie Green's lack of race hardness but the reality is he was fresh and having his only ever standing start when he paced 3:23 for 2700m to beat Ohoka Punter last February so if he can perform to that level again he should win.

Besotted, aided by the small field, is the obvious danger while there was plenty to like about Ideal Belle's return to racing last start and she looks in for a good summer.

Part of that will be clashing with Hughie Green's stablemate The Orange Agent, who trialled well last week and could even return to racing at Alexandra Park on Friday week as build up to the Queen Of Hearts there on December 18.

The other key comeback tonight is Mum's Pride in the main trot, where he faces a 30m handicap but again a small field.

Yet trainer-driver James Stormont is loath to label him a good thing.

"Sure I think he can win but I don't want to flatten him fresh up," Stormont said.

"He trialled well last week and is ready to race but I flattened him going into the Jewels last season because I had to go too hard off 50m behind in a race.

"If he gets a cart into it he will run home well but if they trot 3:30 off the front it is going to be hard for him fresh up."

Mum's Pride is clearly the best performed trotter in the race but Stormont's words should be heeded by any punters contemplating taking very short odds about him tonight.

The meeting is deep in form as the southerners start to drift north for the summer.

Park picks
Best bet: Eyre I Come (R3, No.5): Huge drop in class and with manners should win.
Each way: Lebron (R4, No.5): Big second in better field last start, has plenty of wins left in him.
Knocking: Charleston Belle (R6, No.5): Going solid races without luck but could be hard to catch tonight.