Collett confident

WELLINGTON: The Richard Colletttrained Mercy Hill is a good chance of making it three successive victories when she contests the Governor General’s Cup (1600m) at Avondale today.

The 4yrold mare has been installed a $2.60 favourite. She has won her past two starts over 1600m at Counties and Avondale respectively.

‘‘The way she has won her last couple in that sort of company, she probably looks wellplaced,’’ Collett said.

‘‘We would have been keen to take her to a Saturday mile race, but the ones in her grade are on lefthanded tracks at the moment.

‘‘She had a little problem, before she raced, with a chip on a fetlock. She has had a couple of goes running lefthanded, including the Warstep Stakes and failed badly. That is why we have to try and keep her to racing righthanded.’’

Collett has a further two runners on the card at Avondale, including staying prospect Hvar, who will be having his second start back from a break, as well as twowin galloper Alternative Fact.

‘‘Hvar’s drawn well in a nice field and found the line well last start over 1400m fresh and could do the same again,’’ Collett said. — NZ Racing Desk