Aussie stars step up New Zealand Cup preparations

Some of the biggest Aussie stars are getting serious as they build towards New Zealand Cup Week.

Defending NZ Cup winner Kingman (Always B Miki) returns from a spell and faces a serious test in the opening race at Menangle on Saturday night.

Racing for the first time since a tiring eighth in the Race By Sport Nation at Cambridge on April 10, Kingman has been sharpened up with two recent Menangle trials.

But he will have to overcome an outside draw and star speedster Hi Manameisjeff in the 1609m dash.

Hi Manameisjeff, who boasts 17 wins from 25 starts at Menangle for Jason Grimson, looked fantastic leading throughout to win a star-studded trial at Menangle last Wednesday where Kingman, Swayzee, Minos and Dangerous were in the beaten brigade.

His stablemate, Heza Punk Rocker, and marvelous veteran Max Delight, are the other major chances in a fascinating start to the Menangle meeting.

Inter Dominion winner Captains Mistress, who is slated for a Kaikoura Cup start, returns to the trials today (Wednesday) at Menangle.

She is expected to have two starts ahead of the $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 17.

Then Captains Mistress will head to NZ for a string of races, starting with the Kaikoura Cup on November 2.

Dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee, who is chasing a third win this year, will have his second trial back against Captains Mistress.

The rising nine-year-old looked like he needed the trial when flat-footed and fourth to Hi Manameisjeff last Wednesday.

In trotting ranks, last year’s Dominion and NZ Trotting free-for-all winner Gus sharpened up for his racing return with a cosy trial win over classy mare Pinnie at Albion Park yesterday (Tuesday).

It was a standing-start and Gus cruised home to win by 2.6m, dashing home in 56.9 and 27.5sec.

Also yesterday (Tuesday), three star Victorian trotters Lovemeto, Gotfeelingsyouknow and Rockinwithattitude continued their standing start practice ahead of NZ raids.

For the second time in as many weeks, Lovemeto won the trial in good fashion.

Before heading to NZ, the trio will target Australia’s next feature trotting race, the Group 1 Bill Collins Sprint at Melton on Victoria Cup night (October 17).

The biggest star of all, Leap To Fame, is expected to go straight to the races instead of a trial.

His first run back could be Saturday week at Albion Park.

By Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing New Zealand