Matamata trainer Wayne Hillis is looking forward to heading to his home track on Wednesday where he will be represented by a pair of runners in the Waikato Stud 1200.
Both Suited and Booted (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Sweet And Sassy (NZ) (Rageese) will be vying to break maiden ranks at their second start before heading for a spell.
U S Navy Flag gelding Suited And Booted was runner-up on debut over 1200m at the Waikato track last start, following a trial win last month, and Hillis said he has gained a lot from the run.
“It was a very good run, he is still learning, he just got caught in the last little bit,” Hillis said.
“He has come through it well, I am very happy with him.”
Suited and Booted, who will jump from the ace barrier with Matthew Cameron aboard, has been installed a $7.50 winning chance on Wednesday behind race favourite Not Straight Laced (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) ($3.20) who he beat into third on debut.
While pleased with his progress, Hillis said Suite and Booted isn’t suited to firm tracks and will be put aside for autumn racing.
“I am just a little bit worried as the tracks get firmer,” he said. “He will probably only have this run and then go out because he needs the sting out of the ground.”
Sweet And Sassy disappointed when finishing last in a nine-horse field when on debut at Matamata last month and heads into Wednesday as the $31 outsider.
“They both won their trial and I thought she won her one better, but he went better in his debut. She was a bit keen, she has learnt a bit from the other day and hopefully she runs a bit more kinder this time,” Hillis said.
“I will tip her out after tomorrow too.”
Hillis is also set to line-up last start winner Mafia Mamma (NZ) (Belardo) later this week, but has yet to decide on which venue.
“Mafia Mama is going to go to either Tauranga on Friday or Ellerslie on Sunday, I’ll just see what suits her best,” Hillis said. “She has been going really well.”
