Racing: Trainer hopes All's Well that ends well

Davina Waddell

When it comes to chasing racing's holy grails, Davina Waddell has only ever had her eyes on one major prize.

Since she first rode Avondale trackwork before school as a 12-year-old, the club's staunchest supporter has day-dreamed about winning her home track feature.

More than four decades later, at around 5.16pm today, early Avondale Cup fixed odds favourite All's Well finally gives the 54-year-old trainer her most serious shot.

"I've never been a person who sets goals, I usually take things as they come with horses," said Waddell.

"But this year I've set this horse specifically for this race - and he's going into it as good as I can get him.

"If he gets beaten I know there's nothing else I could have done."

Waddell is hoping she's used up all her bad luck.

This time last year Waddell was a nervous wreck on Avondale Cup day after a fortnight from hell patching up the horse's injured front foot.

All's Well was still walking lame on the eve of the race and only made it to the start thanks to a pain-relieving pad under his hoof.

Under the circumstances, Waddell still can't quite believe the horse found the courage to finish fifth less than two lengths from winner The Mighty Lions that day.

He jumped from gate 20, usually a one-way ticket to the also-rans at this level with such a short run to the first bend, was bustled early to take a handy position and then lost his hoof protector somewhere in transit.

Waddell knows this year's field is probably overall a lot stronger, but countering that is the fact that so is All's Well.

He may only have one win in his build-up, against modest opposition in a lowly restricted 2000m race on a Te Awamutu Sunday.

Waddell, however, wasn't after the headlines that day. She simply wanted to give the six-year-old a low-key, middle-distance hit-out without the threat of a stiff handicap penalty or a taxing trip away.

"He was easier to place last year because at that stage he was going through the grades," she said.

"The Counties Cup was never an option. It was common knowledge the track wasn't up to standard.

"I was told by those in the know that if you think anything of your horse, you don't want to be starting."

For Waddell, the final icing on the Avondale build-up was booking South Island comeback star Chris Johnson for the mount.

She said she'll leave All's Well's exact race plan up to the "Magic Man", but expects to see the pair push forward for a handy slot before the first bend.

"There's several in there who I have a lot of time for," said Waddell. "Creil went a really good race the other day, Haylee Baylee is a good horse and I know they've always had a high opinion of Filante Etoile.

"I'm certainly not going in to this thinking we're a home run, but I know how good my fella is and I honestly think he is better than last year."

Waddell also saddles Cup outsider Shinko Prince and rates him an outside chance to upset his more favoured stablemate.

Counties Cup rider Michelle Innes was rapt with his eighth last time out and he's shown a liking for Avondale in the past with two wins there from just six tries.

"He was coming home better than any horse at Te Rapa, without ever really getting a clear run at them until the 250m," said Waddell.

"His main problem is that he has really bad barrier manners, and I really don't know what to do about it. When he gets in, he just wants to get out.

"But I wouldn't dismiss his chances - he's extremely well at the moment."