Racing: Smiling like a Cheshire colt

Champion jockey Michael Walker and Waikato colt Cheshire have already shared victory in one of the country's top horse races.

But the last time it happened the pair were carried by Cheshire's mum, Smiling Like, who was in foal when Walker rode her to victory in the 2000 Wellington Cup, his first in group one.

Almost four years later the pair again will contest a second group one race - this time without mum - in a bid to win one of New Zealand's richest horse races, the $500,000 Mercedes Derby.

The race is a highlight of the New Zealand Herald Summer Carnival which sees four great days of racing at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, December 27, New Year's Day and January 3.

The Derby is run on Boxing Day, with a crowd of around 25,000 expected.

Walker said he enjoyed a number of successes on Smiling Like, and was confident Cheshire would continue the strong run.

"For me it's good to be on progeny of hers because I know just how good she was."

He said Cheshire had a good chance of winning, especially if the wet weather continued. Part-owner Sir Patrick Hogan agreed.

"He's a very good place bet. If it gets any wetter then he has a good chance of winning."

Sir Patrick believed the win in Wellington in 2000 had set the standard for the 3-year-old colt.

"After all, he has already enjoyed victory in a big race, although it was probably a bit rough the last time."

With Takanini superstar Cheval De Troy the favourite for the race, a win by the Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge-trained colt could leave punters eager to take a gamble, smiling like a Cheshire cat.