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Smartly has never failed to take a trick at Arawa Park and the six-year-old is in the right order to chase her biggest prize yet on the track.

The course specialist has missed out at her last two starts, but trainers Wayne Hillis and Shaun Kesner have good reasons to be confident of a turnaround in Saturday’s Gr.3 Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup.

Smartly is back to her favourite haunt where she has raced five times for a win and four placings, including a second and a fourth in the last two editions of the Listed Rotorua Plate.

“She definitely likes it there and it’s just one of those things,” Hillis said. “A lot of horses that like wet tracks don’t seem to handle them there, but she does.”

Smartly finished fourth in the Gr.2 Japan/NZ Trophy three runs back and then found weight-for-age conditions a step too far when unplaced in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes and in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes.

“She’s definitely better in a handicap and she’s done well,” Hillis said. “This race has always been on the radar and Michael Coleman will ride her.”

As a runner-up in last year’s Listed Marton Cup and a winner up to 2400 metres, Smarty will also relish the step up to 2200m on Saturday.

The stable has another genuine winning Rotorua chance in Letmego, who will contest the Fiber Fresh-Celebrating 30 Years 3YO.

A winner two runs back on a heavy track, she was run off her feet last time out on firmer ground in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes.

“They ran 1.08 and she needs a bit of rain,” Hillis said. “She’s not very big, but she’s got a lot of heart.”