KEY POINTS:
The connections of Riverboat Royce are hoping to use the return to her favourite track as a springboard to a coveted place in the Harness Jewels.
She looks one of the hardest to beat in the $9000 feature pace at Manawatu tonight, especially after her double at the track last month.
On that occasion the 4-year-old mare beat similar opposition easily before heading to Greymouth where she failed to handle the deep track.
Co-trainer Mike O'Brien believes she will return to her best tonight.
"Last time she came here we were very confident because her work leading up to the meeting had been huge. I am not saying it has been that good this week, but it has been close enough and I think she meets a weaker field this time."
If Riverboat Royce can win tonight - or on the second night of the meeting on Saturday - she will push her claims for a spot in her $200,000 division of the Harness Jewels at Cambridge on May 31.
She is ranked 15th on the stakes-based list which decides which 12 mares go forward to Cambridge. "I think she might need two more wins to make it but if she does then we will definitely be going," said O'Brien.
The co-trainer nominated stable representatives Jason Stevens (race nine) and Duel Master (race seven) as runners punters must include in tonight's $75,000 Pick6 chase.
- NZPA
