Racing: Trainers use Matamata feature as cups pointer

Today's Rating 92 2000m race at Matamata looms as a mini-summer cups trial.

Most of today's field seem to hold nominations for the group one, $600,000 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next March and the race looks set to be at least some sort of guide toward the more immediate cup races.

Cambridge trainer Roger James will start this year's New Zealand St Leger winner, Aeroforce One, in the New World Matamata 2000 in preparation for the group two $100,000 Waikato Times Gold Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa on December 10.

James yesterday confirmed he had nominated Aeroforce One for the group two $200,000 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on January 1 and for the Auckland Cup, but said the Marscay 5-year-old's main target was the group one Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham on January28.

Aeroforce One resumed at Te Rapa over 1600m this month, running second-last in a strong field of 14, but James was expecting improvement over 2000m today.

"He's in nice order. It's only his second run-up but he's a class act and he's certainly going to run a race," James said. "He's in the Waikato Cup and the City Of Auckland Cup as lead-ins for the Wellington Cup. This is a stepping stone to get there."

Matamata trainer Mark Walker has yet to decide whether Zarius will contest the Waikato Cup but he has entered his charge for the City Of Auckland and Auckland Cups.

"It depends on how he goes on Thursday," Walker said.

"The race we'll target is the City Of Auckland Cup because the first three get exemption from the ballot for the Auckland Cup."

Cambridge trainer Michael Wallace has Avondale Cup plans for his mare, Gristle.

- NZPA