Racing: Talented rivals face off

Mr Multiwin v Kainui Belle equals fitness v freshness.

Mr Multiwin's recent racing has relaxed him so much co-owner and trainer Tim Carter says the horse is unrecognisable.

Kainui Belle is at the exact opposite end of that scale - she has not raced for 5 1/2 months.

But the racetrack difference in the pair may not be as great as you'd imagine.

Trainer Wayne Hillis says Kainui Belle is very forward to resume after a nice barrier trial at Te Awamutu.

Kainui Belle is on trial for a proposed Brisbane winter carnival campaign. Hillis is in Brisbane with Dezigna, who will run in the Sir Byrne Hart Stakes on Saturday week.

If Kainui Belle races well at Te Rapa tomorrow she will join Hillis in Australia, as will Boulevardof- dreams if she performs up to expectations here on Saturday week.

As good as the mare can be, the odds must swing in favour of Mr Multiwin.

Take no notice of his first beaten New Zealand performance at Awapuni last start.

Rider Michael Coleman said the wide barrier draw had him further back in the field earlier than he would have liked.

"You don't actually see it that well on the video, but Michael went for a gap early in the run home and it wasn't really there," said Tim Carter.

"He had his momentum stopped to the point where it probably cost him one length and he was only beaten by one and a quarter lengths. "It was a very good run. He's been looking for the 1400m of this race. I know there's been comment that he only just won the 1400m at Ellerslie, but that was deceptive - he actually needs 1400m now and I'll probably try him at 1600m before I turn him out.

"Mickey Coleman believes he'll run a very good 1600."

Carter says the normally very speedy horse in training has turned into a much more relaxed number every morning.

"Previously he didn't go out to run fast times, but he's just a naturally high speed horse without going mad.

"Now, he just wants to lope around. He's not as sharp as he was, which is why he'll run a good 1400m."