Racing: Comeback mare being put to test

Filante Etoile is on trial at Tauranga tomorrow.

The Takanini mare is coming back from injury and will be the second-last horse saddled up on raceday by the Colin Jillings-Richard Yuill partnership.

Filante Etoile had her preparation for the Auckland and Wellington Cups interrupted by injury and has not raced since November 13, a win on this track.

"She's very much on trial for the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha," said Yuill, who will continue to train Filante Etoile. A barrier trial win at Te Aroha on February 15 sets the mare up to be difficult to beat.

The interesting runner, and he could be the one that might make it difficult for Filante Etoile, is Captain Butler. He did little when resuming at Te Rapa on February 5 following an Australian campaign and a spell, but is capable of much better.

He is a natural leader and if he dictates in front he could set up a tempo to undo the back-running Filante Etoile. Horses on the speed should have a good day at Tauranga.

* Melbourne jockey Brad Rawiller has been engaged for smart sprinter Lamond in the $100,000 Family Hotel WFA at Otaki.

Lamond's trainer Richard Otto was unable to find a suitable local rider and sent a distress call to Rawiller, who won the A$155,000 Geelong Cup on Pacific Dancer in the spring for Lamond's owners.

He is a brother of Nash Rawiller, regular rider of Caulfield Cup winner Elvstroem.