Trainer Andrew Forsman is hoping an old mate might help him out as he tries to win the $100,000 Manawatu Cup with Star Tsar at Awapuni.
Forsman and training partner Murray Baker send the huge son of Fastnet Rock down to the 2300m Group 3 with a light weight and good draw but the one thing they think he needs to win is a fast tempo.
And that is where old mate Camino Rocoso might come in handy.
The Baker/Forsman stable used to train Camino Rocoso, a one-time favourite for the 2017 Derby at Ellerslie in which he eventually finished seventh to Gingernuts. Camino Rocoso later made his way to Canterbury trainers John and Karen Parsons where he has tasted great success, usually with "catch me if you can" tactics.
While he can also drop out badly, when Camino Rocoso's front-running tactics pay off they are spectacular and they also ensure a true tempo, something Forsman says would greatly aid Star Tsar.