Rotorua for trial winner

Well-bred youngster Lite My Cigar is in good order for his return to racing at Rotorua today.

He will resume from a spell in the Motion Entertainment 2YO (1230m) with trainer Brendon Hawtin pleased by the colt’s progress.

“He’s had a good break and he trialled up well,” he said.

A son of Darci Brahma and the Group Two winner Smoulder, Lite My Cigar won his 800m heat at Cambridge last month following a lay-off after two unplaced runs last year.

“He didn’t have much luck in his first start at Pukekohe and then we went to Trentham, probably one of those silly things you do when you’re trying to qualify for the big race (the Karaka Million),” Hawtin said.

Lite My Cigar was out of the money in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1200m), but has come back stronger this time around.

Meanwhile, Hawtin will withdraw Aligns With Me from tomorrow’s engagement at Te Rapa due to a wide gate. — NZ Racing Desk