Racing: Hot In High Heels keen to kick butt at Rotorua

Hot In High Heels has taken a shine to herself since joining Phillip Stevens' stable.

The Matamata trainer has found the answer to the filly, who showed she had the talent to match her pedigree with an impressive first-up victory on her home track last month.

"I actually got her off Ken and Bev Kelso after she had a few issues earlier on," Stevens said.

"With some fillies it's about finding the key to them so we put a mirror at the back of her box and she stands there looking at herself and she doesn't walk the box at all now." Nominated for the group one Wellfield New Zealand Oaks, Hot In High Heels will run in the NZ First 1560 at Rotorua today (Friday) as a prelude to more serious targets.

"If everything goes to plan we want to get her to the Oaks and she'll probably head down to the Desert Gold Stakes first," Stevens said.

"We want to give her a trip away to Wellington first to see how she handles the travel."

A daughter of High Chaparral out of a half-sister to the group one Captain Cook Stakes winner Penny Gem, Hot In High Heels was an upset winner on debut, but not entirely to the surprise of Stevens. "Her trial at Te Teko was very, very good and I thought she'd go a nice race," he said.

"I haven't done a lot with her since Matamata. My only concern will be how she gets around Rotorua, she's definitely suited to the bigger tracks and the further the better for her." NZ Racing Desk