Racing: Mr Hefner aspires to Northern start

Mr Hefner needs a big performance today. File picture / Simon Baker

Exciting Cambridge hurdler Mr Hefner puts his Great Northern aspirations back on track at Te Awamutu today.

But his trainer Ross Elliot admits that unless there's a dramatic drop-off in entries for the September 9 feature at Ellerslie, he's a much safer bet to start in next year's race instead.

Early indications are that the 2006 Northern will be one of the strongest in years.

And with just two hurdles races under his belt before today - he won his last by seven lengths at Te Aroha on July 19 - Elliot believes Mr Hefner is still a year away from tackling the best.

"He's going to come back better next year," said Elliot, who rode Sir Avion to win the 1998 Northern.

"He's a nice horse but I still haven't done a lot with him. He's really started from scratch and learnt the trade as he comes along."

Mr Hefner transferred to Elliot's stable from Robert Priscott's team in April this year after his flat form tailed off.

At his best, the winner of five handicaps from 1400m to 2100m finished a close-up fourth in the 2004 Queen Elizabeth Handicap and was rated up to tackling Trebla and co in last year's New Zealand Cup.

Elliot hoped schooling would spark a return to that kind of form, but apart from a close-up sixth in Shanamann's Taumarunui Cup the gelding has disappointed.

A low-point was an inexplicable sixth behind Cedar Manor in open grade at Te Rapa on Saturday.

But back over fences on a reasonable surface at Te Awamutu today, Elliot believes the winner of two from two on the course can keep his perfect track strike rate intact before spelling.

If not, he'll more than likely back-up in an intermediate hurdles' event at Ellerslie on Northern day.

Elliot's hopes of training a Northern winner at his first try rest with Cork'N Bottle, who gets his final rehearsal against a Northern-like field at Ellerslie on Saturday.

"He went a bit ordinary last time but the track was against him," said Elliot of his last-start Ellerslie failure.

"If it comes back to anywhere reasonable on Saturday, he's got to have a good chance."

Elliot has begun the season in style so far. He saddled just two horses at Taupo last Wednesday for wins with Nautical Buoy and the exciting cups prospect Zilzie.