Weekend racing with Iain Hyndman

Livin' On A Prayer on trial for a South Island mission safely through tomorrow's Taranaki Breeders' Stakes at Hawera. Photo / Trish Dunell

Iain Hyndman's Hawera Tips

1: Kirkland, Humble Pie, Red Rascal

2: Herengawe, Quaff, Makamojito

3: Glory Days, All Black Magic, Rene

4: Windsor, Beauden, Middagurd

5: Cyclops, Midnight Story, Hundyamonth

6: Ladies First, Gobstopper, Bizzwinkle

7: King Cougar, Porcelain Princess, Monrecour

8: Darscape Princess, Livin' On A Prayer, Excelleration

9: Tipping Point, Kotahi, The Rippa

Best Bet: Cyclops (R5)

A trip to Riccarton awaits progressive Matamata mare Livin' On A Prayer if she proves competitive in tomorrow's Gr.3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders' Stakes (1400m) at Hawera.

Trainer and part-owner Wayne Hillis has earmarked the impressive last-start Avondale winner for a shot at the Gr.2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton on November 14 and wants to see her measure up to her fellow mares at weight-for-age this weekend.

Livin' On A Prayer finished fifth to Thee Auld Floozie in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie in her only previous start in Group company but Hillis believes she is a better racehorse now.

"She raced well in her first Group race but this is another tough field so it won't be easy for her," Hillis said.

"It was a very good win at Avondale. She had improved from her first run back so we'd expected her to run well. She's thriving since that win too."

A winner of five of her 14 starts, Redwood five-year-old Livin' On A Prayer has drawn barrier seven for the Taranaki Breeders' Stakes, in which she will be ridden by Shaun McKay.

"This is the race that fitted in best ahead of her trip to Riccarton. She should go well," Hillis said.

TAB bookmakers opened Livin' On A Prayer as a $4.60 favourite for the Hawera feature ahead of Darscape Princess at $5 and Yearn at $7.50.

Hillis has the Gr.3 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders' Stakes (1400m) as a backup race but favours the Coupland's Mile the same day.

He also has last-start Tauranga winner Watch This Space on track for the Coupland's Mile, with a start in the 1400m open handicap at Ellerslie on October 27 his leadup race. — NZ Racing Desk