KEY POINTS:
The best indication of Allegro Agitato's chances at Addington today is what she is being aimed at next week.
New Zealand's best trotting mare will be a warm favourite to defend her $75,000 New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All title even though she has only had one race this season.
And trainer Phil Williamson is so pleased with his stable star he is planning to start her in next Friday's Dominion Handicap.
That may sound like a logical aim for any outstanding trotter, but for Allegro Agitato, that means a return to standing-start racing, in which she has proved a nightmare for most of the last two seasons.
"But she is so well behaved at the moment I am looking at the Dominion as my next option," said Williamson.
"That is how good she feels and how safely she is trotting."
That is a huge turnaround for Allegro Agitato - astute trainer Williamson swore two seasons ago he would never start her again in a standing-start race.
The fact she is trotting well enough for him to consider it means she is clearly the horse to beat in today's mobile event.
The New Zealand open-class trotting ranks lack depth and at her best, Allegro Agitato is at least a length better than her opponents today.
With the ace draw Williamson wants to see her lead and stay there.
"I think we have the best horse in the race and I don't see the point in being unlucky so we will be going for it all the way."
Allegro Agitato was beaten when resuming at Ashburton three weeks ago but wasn't suited by the pattern of racing that day.
But the race improved her and she was fit enough to beat three-win pacers in a trial at Oamaru last week.
The in-form stablemates Glenbogle and Whatsundermykilt loom as dangers but the next best trotter in the race is northerner Pompallier.
He will be having his first start at Addington since winning the Dominion last season and is perfectly suited by the large track. He returned to winning form at Alexandra Park last start and may still be on the way up, but if the pace is on he'll be there.
TAB odds: $2.20 Allegro Agitato, $6.50 Glenbogle, $8.50 Play On, $9 Pompallier, $11 Whatsundermykilt, $12 Jasmyn's Gift, $16 Some Direction, $21 Wee Annie, Summit Invasion, $30 Toomuch To Do, $40 Zuri, Marie Wishes, $60 Aramid.
