The New Zealand Trotting Cup is shaping as the strongest in a decade.
Three leading Australians could contest the race, including Blacks A Fake.
They would join the likes of Auckland Reactor, Mr Feelgood, Changeover and Monkey King.
Auckland Reactor could open a $4 favourite. Addington officials are confident they will be able to attract one of the strongest New Zealand Cups in history.
And it could get even stronger in a few weeks' time.
Although our greatest harness race was reduced from $1.2 million to $1 million last week, it looks set to draw the best field in a decade.
That could include three leading Australians, headed by three-time Interdominion champ Blacks A Fake.
While trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen will not make a decision on whether Blacks A Fake goes to Addington until after Grand Circuit racing in Queensland next month, the race is very much on her radar.
Rasmussen's enthusiasm has been boosted by direct flights out of Christchurch a few days after the race, which would give her the opportunity to get Blacks A Fake back to Australia for the Miracle Mile 19 days later.
And under the new free-for-all conditions of the Cup, Blacks A Fake would be off the front line, a rarity in his stellar career.
While Blacks A Fake falls into the probable category of Cup contenders, two other leading Australian pacers are as good as certain to be at Addington on November 10.
Karloo Mick, who downed Auckland Reactor at the Interdominions in March and went on to run a brave third in the final, is definitely coming.
His trainer, Barry Lew, has already visited Christchurch to find suitable stabling for the veteran pacer and he is likely to race in the Ashburton Flying Stakes as a lead-up.
He could be joined by Australasian mile record holder Smoken Up, who was last week promoted to first in April's group one Len Smith Mile after the disqualification of Changeover.
Smoken Up is back at the trials this week and trainer Lance Justice has told the connections of the former Cambridge pacer he wants to take him to Addington. "They seem keen at this stage and I think the big track will really suit him."
Having three top-flight Australians will add a true transtasman feel to a Cup already overflowing with talent.
Not only will defending champion Changeover be back but he will be joined by Little Brown Jug, Hunter Cup and Interdominion champion Mr Feelgood.
That alone would make for a great Cup field but none of those five horses would even be favourite, with that honour certain to fall to Auckland Reactor when the markets open.
"Because he is so good and the public love backing him he would have to open favourite," says TAB bookie Steve Richardson. "We will open a market when nominations close next month but I could see us opening Auckland Reactor at $4."
With the likes of Monkey King, Awesome Armbro, Report For Duty and Tribute also likely to line up, the Cup should be the strongest harness race held in this country since the 2005 Interdominion Final at Alexandra Park.
"It is shaping up to be pretty huge and we are confident of getting two or maybe three of those Australians across," said Addington boss Shane Gloury. "Ticket sales are going well and we have a wider range of hospitality options this year so it really should be an enormous day."
The biggest change to the carnival sees the feature trot, the $250,000 Dominion Handicap, transferred to Show Day, three days after the Cup on November 13.
Racing: Australian trio eyes up NZ Cup
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