Blenheim trainer Mike O'Brien expects his six-win pacer Waterford to step up to the mark and deliver at Hawera today.
Waterford will step from the 20m back mark in the Cullen Breeding Hawera Cup Prelude Pace (2300m), the main race on the first day of the Hawera Harness Racing Club's
centennial meeting.
Waterford finished a solid fourth after galloping early in the Hawera Cup last Easter.
The Holmes Hanover 5-year-old was in good form at this time last year, but has failed to pay a dividend in five starts this campaign.
O'Brien put Waterford's disappointing form this year down to the horse having had a foot problem.
"She had a deep seated abscess which has now burst through and she's more her old self again," he said.
"She seems to have turned the corner and I'm very happy with her."
Auckland reinsman Maurice McKendry had been booked to drive Waterford tomorrow, but a three-day suspension sees him replaced by Manawatu driver Stephen Doody.
Doody drove the horse to win at New Plymouth last year.
The cup prelude is a 4-6 win handicap event is the lead in to the Hawera Cup, 3100m, the feature race of the Hawera HRC Easter carnival on Monday.
The prelude has drawn an even line up and includes this year's Wanganui Cup winner Ted E Bear and Stratford Cup winner The Faker.
Others good chances in the race include Monarch Of The Glen, Enunciator and grass track specialist Lord McEnroe.
Monarch Of The Glen's form is moderate but he has shown good form on rain-affected going in the past and, with rain over the last couple of days, that will bring the son of In The Pocket into favour.
Enunciator has been a model of consistency over the Central Districts autumn circuit, not finishing any further back than third in his last four starts.
He looked the winner 100m from home in the Stratford Cup before being collared short of the line by The Faker.
Lord McEnroe has won four races on grass tracks and there was plenty to like about his last-start fourth at Ellerslie on March 19.
- NZPA
