A winner of five of her 14 starts, Redwood five-year-old Livin' On A Prayer has drawn barrier seven for the Taranaki Breeders' Stakes, in which she will be ridden by Shaun McKay.
"This is the race that fitted in best ahead of her trip to Riccarton. She should go well," Hillis said.
TAB bookmakers opened Livin' On A Prayer as a $4.60 favourite for the Hawera feature ahead of Darscape Princess at $5 and Yearn at $7.50.
Hillis has the group three Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders' Stakes (1400m) as a backup race but favours the Coupland's Mile the same day.
He also has last-start Tauranga winner Watch This Space on track for the Coupland's Mile, with a start in the 1400m open handicap at Ellerslie on October 27 his leadup race.
Exciting three-year-old Bit Lippy will also be part of the Riccarton travelling team, the clinical last-start Avondale winner resuming last month set to tackle the group two James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on October 22 as his leadup to the group one 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 10.
"He's come through that race well and he'll improve a ton, just like Livin' On A Prayer did with her first run. He's in good condition but he'll improve even more going into the Sarten," Hillis said.
Another stable member in line for a trip south is Imelda Mary, though Hillis is likely to bypass the three-year-old race she has been accepted for at Matamata tomorrow in favour of a 1600m maiden race at Tauranga to further her claims for the group one 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 17.
A wide draw for Alphastar means Hillis won't have a runner at Matamata tomorrow but he will saddle Liquid Inspiration in the Corzon Maize 1200 at Hawera.
"She should go all right. There's meant to be rain about and she likes a bit of give in the track," he said.
- NZ Racing Desk
