When Spanish eyes are smiling | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

GEARING up for a position in the New Zealand Cup on November 15, 'Senorita Smiles' is demonstrating brilliant form and her Stratford owners, Sid and Dianne Adlam could not be happier.

In 2003, when the Adlams paid $1300 for a mare that was expected to get $20,000, they knew they were not only on to a bargain, but a winner too.

"Her family breeding was strong," said Sid, "and we liked the way she walked there was firmness and straightness in her stride."

Becoming known as 'Senorita Smiles', the then five-month old was broken in by Strathmore trainer Barry Ladd and it wasn't long before she was realising the potential that the Adlams had first seen.

However in 2005, just as the Adlam's training regime was really taking her places, a stray step saw the horse jar her back and brought a stop to her steady progress, forcing the Adlams to rest her for two years.

"She was a naughty girl," said Dianne, "she shied from a jump and went sideways before straightening again."

Despite the disappointment and the delay, two years later, Senorita Smiles was returning back to form and on the cusp of becoming a competitive force once again.

It was an unfortunate twist that Dianne herself broke an ankle and couldn't complete the horse's training, but under the skilled guidance of former Stratford resident, Melanie Cooper, Senorita Smile's progress continued, peaking with a win on November 15, 2007 at the Awapuni track in Palmerston North.

"She's a good, honest horse," said Sid, "nearly always placing in the first five."

After the success at Awapuni, the horse had a short break before continuing on with her training, gaining maturity and confidence with each subsequent race.

On September 27, 2008, Senorita Smiles won the $20,000 New World Merrilands 3210m race by four-and-a-half lengths at the Pukekura Raceway in New Plymouth, strengthening her potential for a starting position in the prestigious New Zealand Cup race. The race will be held at Riccarton on November 15.

Confirmation of her place came on October 23, when the star racer won the La Nuova Apparelmaster, 2000m race by two lengths in Hawera.

"She'll definitely go now," said trainer, Melanie Cooper.

The horse will be heading south on November 4, and racing in the Metropolitan Gold Cup on November 8, as part of her lead-up to the big event, a week later on November 15.

"She really has proven herself now. We're really pleased and are looking forward to a good result," said Sid.

The progress of Senorita Smiles and the excellent training programme of both the Adlams and Melanie Cooper have served to highlight how strong horse breeding and training is in the Stratford region.

Despite the region's success, the local training and racing community still has challenges to face.

"Unfortunately, there are not enough riders either locally or nationally which is a little concerning."

"Racing and pony clubs need to work closer together, and we need to let young people know about what we do and what racing can do for them as a career."

"Hopefully, our successes with Senorita Smiles will help build more interest in horses and racing," said Sid.