Racing: Educational Blenheim

North Canterbury trainer Neil Coulbeck has a team of six horses in action at Waterlea today.

A prominent absentee, though, is his star performer Fritz, who is heading to Brisbane for a winter campaign.

He said the Blenheim meeting provided a good educational experience for young horses; they get to travel, stay away from home base and have a run at a different track.

Eleven races are carded on both days of the meeting, nine gallop and two pacing.

Local hopes will rest on Waterlea-based trainer Donna Green's maiden Naturally, the only locally trained horse nominated.

The feature race today is the Criterion Hotel Marlborough Cup prelude while the main race on Sunday is the Marlborough Cup itself.

Harvard Honor from the Graeme Rogerson/Stephen Autridge stable is expected to be the leading chance.

- NZPA