The Masterton trainer has called on former champion New Zealand jockey Michael
Walker to guide the fortunes of her Captain Rio mare in the Group III Hong Kong
Jockey Club Stakes (1400m), a race that will close out Melbourne Cup day.Little's maiden trip to Australia's main stage has also been made smoother by support from a former Cambridge couple and their Cranbourne contact.
"I've been really lucky and when I spoke about it with Trent Busuttin he said they didn't have room for the mare and he put me onto Greg Eurell and she's staying there," Little said.
"Trent and Natalie Young and Greg have been absolutely wonderful. It's a great learning experience for me."
Lucyinrio has been in good touch at home and was runner-up behind the talented Deals In Heels at Hawke's Bay two runs back before she returned to Hastings to finish second to Miss Wilson in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m).
"She travelled over here well and she's been eating well and doing everything right so we're hoping," Little said.
The only setback came when Lucyinrio was handed gate 14 in a 16-horse field.
"It's a visitor's draw, it's horrible and hard to make a game plan," Little said. "It depends how she jumps and what the others do so I'll just leave it all up to Michael."
The length of their stay in Victoria will depend on Lucyinrio's debut performance.
"We'll see how she comes through this one first and there is another race at Sandown for her, a Group Three for fillies and mares over 1500m," Little said. – NZ Racing Desk.
