Racing: Former North American feeling good to add to Interdominion crown

It's looming as an epic transtasman tussle, but will tomorrow's $1 million New Zealand Cup be won by an American Kiwi?

Despite being the Interdominion titleholder, Mr Feelgood is under the radar heading into the Cup and his trainers are pleased about that.

Tim Butt and Phil Anderson put the finishing touches on Mr Feelgood yesterday, with Butt saying that after a difficult time acclimatising the former Little Brown Jug winner to New Zealand conditions, the horse is turning the corner.

"He seems well and is starting to peak. We are happy with him," said Butt.

It has been difficult because of the differing seasons in the two hemispheres.

"The Northern Hemisphere horses are going into their winter and he thinks he is too, but he has had a good foundation and it's just been a matter of freshening him up."

Mr Feelgood will be attempting to become the first horse to win an Interdominion and New Zealand Cup in the same year since the New Zealand-bred but Victorian-trained Lightning Blue in 1987.

He hasn't flattered in some of his lead-up races, but Butt said he was pleased with his close-up effort for seventh in the Ashburton Flying Stakes on Labour Monday before not being fully tested in the Cup trial at Addington last week.

"He is a professional who turns up on raceday and always gives his best. He is a real athletic type of horse so we have trained him accordingly."

While Mr Feelgood has the best credentials heading into the Cup, Butt won't go as far as saying he is the best horse. He has the best record but that doesn't count for anything on raceday."

Butt thinks it's an even field, with three horses - Kiwi Ingenuity, Monkey King and Karloo Mick - standing out for their lead-up form with six or seven other chances, including Mr Feelgood.

The American has drawn two and that should give Butt's brother Anthony fewer headaches than some of his rival drivers.

"He just needs a race run to suit, with a pretty strong pace," said Tim Butt.

"He may even run along early and stretch the field out a bit to make sure everyone gets in a cosy spot and there are not too many coming around him."

Another likely to go forward is Victorian pacer Smoken Up, the iron horse of Australian racing.

Kiwi Ingenuity was the $4.50 favourite on the TAB yesterday. Eyebrows have been raised at her limited preparation, but North Canterbury trainer Robbie Holmes says she has done a lot of beach work and is ready to run the 3200m.

Defending NZ Cup holder Changeover was a $5 second favourite, just ahead of Monkey King on $5, Smoken Up $7, and Karloo Mick and Mr Feelgood on $8.

- NZPA