It’s from the hospital to race track for Pitman

Michael Pitman is undertaking two of the most challenging races of his lengthy and successful training career as he continues to fight bowel cancer.

He’s on track to win the first, a race against time.

Pitman, 63, is optimistic he will be at Moonee Valley on Saturday to cheer on Savvy Coup in the A$5 million (NZ$5.4m) Cox Plate (2040m).

Pitman, who is based at Riccarton, remains in Christchurch Hospital as he recovers from two surgeries but believes he will be at the Melbourne course to stand alongside his son and training partner, Matt, to watch their classy mare contest the iconic Group I race.

‘‘I should be out of hospital tomorrow and on my way to Moonee Valley on Friday,’’ Pitman told Stuff from his hospital bed yesterday. ‘‘I really want to. I’m not going to do something dumb to do it but I’ve talked to the surgeon and I hope to be there.’’

Pitman underwent a successful 71⁄2-hour surgery earlier this month but just days later was forced into a second operation when an infection led to his pelvis filling with fluid.

But once Pitman makes it to Moonee Valley – the challenge to win the race on the track will be just as tough.

The Pitman partnership will put Savvy Coup up against wonder mare Winx – arguably the best horse in the world and certainly the best middle-distance horse Australasia has seen.

Winx will be chasing her fourth consecutive win in the race. Trained by expat Kiwi Chris Waller, Winx has won A$19.8 million in prize money.

Savvy Coup has won six of her 16 starts along with five placings to win stakes of NZ$669,569.

Winx has won her last 28 races on the trot – an unbeaten streak that stretches back to May 2015.

The NZ TAB has her as a $1.20 chance to win the race with Savvy Coup at $31. All up, eight runners will contest the Cox Plate. Savvy Coup goes into the race on the back of her stunning win in the Group I Livamol Classic at Hastings on October 6 – over the same distance as the Cox Plate..