Racing: Birthday pressure on

For a minor midweek meeting, Te Awamutu trainer Debbie Sweeney sure has her share of pressure riding on her home track results today.

Firstly, husband Mark Sweeney makes his first race-day appearance - albeit on the sideline - since a nasty trials fall in April left him with multiple fractures of the left leg.

But more importantly, for her brother and father at least, Debbie Sweeney has a serious shot at saddling two memorable birthday presents in the space of an hour.

Her father and training partner, Graeme Sanders, who blows out 56 candles tomorrow, has a share in promising filly Irish Outlaw in the first.

Two races later, Sweeney's brother Mark, with his rugby team co-owners beside him to celebrate today's 27th birthday, will be cheering home their 3-year-old maiden Mr Eight.

"They'll bring the grandstand down if Mr Eight wins," predicts Sweeney, who rates first-starter Wine Oceros a rough stable quinella hope in the same race.

"It's the first horse they've raced together, and if he's ever going to win I think this race will be it. He has everything in his favour."

While Mr Eight should cope with a rain-affected track, Sweeney has some reservations about tying the birthday bow as tightly around Irish Outlaw's chances.

If she does adapt, however, Sweeney knows Irish Outlaw only has to run up to her six-length 850m trial win on the course on May 12 to be a huge threat.

Sweeney rates Desert Romar the best win hope from a stable you always need to follow at Te Awamutu.

Again, the arrival of winter going isn't going to do the mare any favours, but Sweeney says she's rock hard fit to score an overdue breakthrough.

Quality stablemate Leigh Valley has a couple of huge negatives against a successful fresh-up return in the intermediate 1150m; she would prefer a much firmer surface and a roomier track.

"But she just might get away with it with her class, a lot of them can," said Sweeney.

Meanwhile, husband Mark should have a clearer idea when he can get back on board stable runners after further leg x-rays at the end of the month.

"To look at him you wouldn't think there's much wrong," said Debbie Sweeney.

"He has no cast on and he's getting around quite well considering. But he's not going to ride again until they take the rod out.

"I would say it is going to be 12 months plus before he's back to full fitness."