Racing: Dentist brushes up on Auckland Cup hope with Rotorua win

Waikato dentist Simon Rees took a step to realising a dream when his talented stayer Senorita Heights won at Rotorua yesterday.

Rees, of Morrinsville, mixes his dental work with training racehorses and has a dream to have a runner in the group one $600,000 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie in March.

Senorita Heights could grant Rees his wish, judging by the manner in which the Senor Pete mare raced away to a convincing win in the $9000 Leisure World Rotorua Handicap (1900m) at Arawa Park yesterday.

"A start in the Auckland Cup is in the back of my mind for her," said Rees, who is assisted in training duties by former jockey Grant Ace.

"She's a real staying type and today was the first time for a while she has been ridden the way I wanted."

Senorita Heights was settled at the back of the field by the in-form Lisa Cropp and moved into contention nearing the home turn. Then she nearly fell.

Just as Senorita Heights was looking to gain a gap between the leaders, she stumbled and almost dislodged Cropp.

Said Rees: "She looked lucky to stand up."

Senorita Heights regained her balance and raced away to score by 1 lengths from Wanganui visitor Zhukov, with Belle Of Marju finishing on for third.

Senorita Heights has now won three races for Rees, who not only trains the four-year-old mare but also bred and owns her.

"I raced her dam, Ebony Heights, and she is very much like Senorita Heights to look at," Rees said.

"I've got a Zabeel filly foal from Ebony Heights and she is in foal to High Chapparel."

Rees has two horses in training and they were both in action yesterday, the other being Express George, who was an encouraging sixth in his debut in race one.

- NZPA