Michael Walker's midas touch could see Believer return to form in the $18,000 Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (2000m) at Woodville today.
Walker rides Believer for the first time, but the jockey's association with Manawatu trainer Jeff Lynds and the horse's owner Don Frampton, of Wellington, is nothing new.
They have been successful recently with Classic Fame four-year-old Armstrong, to name one, and this combination finished second to Reign Supreme in the Manawatu Cup at Awapuni two weeks ago.
This time last January, Believer finished seventh in the Auckland Cup.
It was an effort that earned him third favouritism for the Wellington Cup 3 1/2 weeks later, but he finished two places further back.
The talented First Norman seven-year-old was allowed to bypass both the Auckland Cup this summer.
Believer resumed from an autumn-winter break at Trentham on Labour Weekend and two races later finished third in All American's Wanganui Cup on December 2.
That saw him earn an Avondale Cup start the following Wednesday
However, he was without cover most of the way from his wide Avondale draw and finished out of the first 10.
The Woodville-Pahiatua Cup has a small, but interesting, field and it is a race that has thrown up its share of long shots in recent years.
Rough Legend won three years in succession from 1996, the first time paying in excess of $71 for a win.
Filberto was at odds of over 15-1 when he won in 1999, while 2000 winner Lord Majestic belied his 11 years to lead all the way at odds of almost 60-1.
There are no previous Woodville Cup winners in today's race, but No Cheque and Just Leica were runners-up in 1999 and 2000 respectively.
Lord Presto steps up to open class today after a steady climb through the grades.
He was a very promising three-year-old last season, but has come into his own this term.
Lord Presto was impressive winning two 2200m races in succession at Trentham before running into Gunstone over 2000m at Awapuni last time out.
Greene Street would normally be expected to set an honest pace, but the Zabeel gelding was ridden in behind last start.
Similar tactics by him would leave either Aide De Camp, Strict Tempo or Flying West as likely candidates for the front-running role.
Meanwhile, local trainer Bruce Marsh, who has capable stayer Authorize resuming in the cup, will saddle Mr Esteem and After Eight in the $16,000 DB Draught Weight-For-Age 1200 today.
Marsh lost his lead on the national trainers' premiership on Thursday when the Rogerson-Hawtin partnership from just outside Hamilton nudged one ahead (25 wins) with Outstanding Affair at Thames.
The Woodville trainer normally does well at his home track, and Mr Esteem might be suited by weight-for-age scale, given he has carried some fair weights in recent starts.
- NZPA
Racing: Walker has touch to restore belief
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