Weekend racing with Iain Hyndman

Alinko Prince can take the Marton Cup on his way to the upcoming Wellington and Auckland staying features. Photo / Race Images

Iain Hyndman's Awapuni Tips
1: King's Cross, Bring To The Block, Victor Vegas
2: Miss Labasa, Sir Nate, Balios
3: Darscape Princess, Killarney, Ugo Foscolo
4: Sinarahma, Miss Contessa, Rockoneve
5: Hanger, Bevan Street, Blondlign
6: Lincoln Star, Red Cloud, Lady Painton
7: Alinko Prince, Sampson, Mental Telepathy
8: Original Gangster, Skarloey, Paint The Town
Best Bet: Darscape Princess (R3)

Alinko Prince comes into tomorrow's Gallagher Marton Cup (2200m) as stepping stone to the Wellington and Auckland Cups.

The big, solid Fraser Auret-trained Alamosa gelding was placed in both 3200m staying tests last year and takes a slightly different path this time around.

He comes into tomorrow's Marton Cup second up after finishing a brave runner up in the 1550m Manawatu Standard Summer Cup on this track on Boxing Day.

Alinko Prince has a grand second-up record although Auret will be wary of gaining any weight penalties in the lead up to the Wellington Cup.

He will be ridden by Chris Johnson tomorrow with stable rider Madan Signh is required for stablemate Porcelain Princess, who also has nominations for the Wellington and Auckland features.

Alinko Prince has 57kg for tomorrow's assignment, while Porcelain Princess is on the 53kg minimum.

Alinko Prince went into last season's Wellington Cup following a sixth in the Counties Cup in November then a third in the Manawatu Cup two days before Christmas.

This season Auret has ensured he comes into this season's assignments on a less testing campaign.

Many of the rivals tomorrow have nominations for the upcoming cups, including the Baker-Forsman lightweight Mental Telepathy.

Lisa Allpress rides and the Shocking gelding will be a far better prospect stepping up in distance from his last run.