Racing: No more monkeying around for Hill

Monkey King (outer) hangs on to win the Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park last season. Photo / Natalie Slade

Monkey King is forcing trainer Brendon Hill out of his comfort zone.

And Hill says he kind of likes it.

The pair go into Friday night's $400,000 Auckland Trotting Cup as the defending champions but could start as long as fourth or fifth favourites.

That is because Monkey King hasn't won a race since the New Zealand Free-For-All in November and has been going through a rare form slump.

He looked to be clawing his way back to his best with a close second to stablemate Power Of Tara in last Friday's NZ Herald Free-For-All but the reality is that Monkey King at his best would have won the race after having a perfect trail.

Hill said that while he was happier with Monkey King's performance last Friday he is still being hard on the 8-year-old.

"I don't work them hard and don't like having to.

"I like the racing to get them fit," admits the Canterbury trainer.

"But he is forcing me to work him harder because being older he is still fat inside, fatter than he has been in other campaigns."

Hill is adamant the $3 million earner will be a fitter horse on Friday night and says his recent run of outs has a silver lining.

"We are all very cruisy this week because, for once, we are going into a race like this with no pressure on us.

"We have a second-line draw, we are not the favourites and we will just turn up and see how he goes.

"I think he can win but the pressure is not on us for once.

"After this we still have the Interdominions and I think he will be even better by then."

Last Friday's winner Power Of Tara has also drawn the second line and Hill says that doesn't bother him.

"The field is so good there has to be speed on early and then our horses can work their way into the race.

"It won't be an easy race to win but they are not supposed to be."

Hill says trackwork this morning will decide whether he makes some slight gear adjustments to Monkey King.

"He hung in a bit on the final bend last week so I might look at a rein pole on the inside and even pulling his hopples up a touch but nothing major."

Monkey King was a $5.50 chance with the TAB book last night, with Mr Feelgood attracting interest yesterday, including a $1500 bet.

Pembrook Benny and Washakie are others to take money in the market which is headed by Themightyquinn at $3.50.

Market: $3.50, Themightyquinn; $5.50, Stunin Cullen, Monkey King, Auckland Reactor; $6.50, Mr Feelgood; $12, Washakie; $13, De Lovely; $21, Raglan, Pembrook Benny; $31, Power Of Tara; $61, Gomeo Romeo, Highview Tommy; $101, Five Star Anvil.

Trotting cup

* Defending champion Monkey King is heading in the right direction for Friday's Auckland Trotting Cup.
* His trainer Brendon Hill says he has had to be harder than usual on the veteran.
* He faces a second-line draw on Friday night.
* Mr Feelgood attracted attention in the market yesterday.