For almost a year now, Bulls trainer Stewart Mitchell and his father John have been focused on one particular day in January.
Their talented seven-year-old stayer Starilyte is being prepared for next month's $270,000 Lion Brown Wellington Cup.
And the Mitchells are brimming with confidence after Starilyte's fourth placing in this year's two-miler behind Second Coming, McDaKnife and The Gifted Shifta.
"He was 16-16 in the betting and we were over the moon after his Wellington Cup run, especially as he did not get the best of runs early," John Mitchell said.
Starilyte takes another important step to next month's major Trentham goal when he contests the $15,000 Hotel Carlton Cup Trial (2000m) at Awapuni today.
"He's not the best trackworker in the world and for that reason it has been hard to get an accurate line on his overall fitness, but Stewart is very pleased with the horse," he said.
Starilyte resumed from a winter break when finishing eighth in the Kelt Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Hastings in late September, and the Mitchells have been particularly selective in their choice of races since then.
The horse did not appear again for a month, running seventh over 1600m on Feilding Cup Day before another 1400m run (last) at Otaki two weeks ago.
"If he runs in the money it will be an ideal stepping stone to the Manawatu Cup the following Saturday, but we won't be panicking if he doesn't weigh in," John Mitchell said.
"If that happens we'll bypass the Manawatu Cup and run him in the Stratford Cup at New Year instead."
Mark Du Plessis rode Starilyte at Otaki last start, but the horse is today reunited with his regular jockey from the last two seasons, Bruce Herd, who has won four races on the horse.
"He and Bruce certainly have what you'd call a terrific working relationship," John Mitchell said.
"Here's hoping they can click again."
Honor Bound, from former top galloper Amrica, faces by far her toughest test when she is pitted against the Matamata pair of Diamond Cashel and Piper Star, One Thousand Guineas winner Elevenses and the Tony Cole-trained Double Dazzle in the $40,000 Eulogy Stakes.
Trainer Terry Wenn is confident his filly won't be disgraced.
"She's an up and comer. She'll measure up, I have no doubts about that."
- NZPA
Racing: Awapuni trial step to Trentham
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