KEY POINTS:
Trainer Geoff Small admitted his champion pacer Changeover faces an awkward task as he prepares for next week's expected match race with Gotta Go Cullen at Cambridge.
The two outstanding 3-year-olds are likely to meet under fixed odds betting conditions in an Australasian Breeders Crown heat at Cambridge tomorrow week.
For both horses the race will be a stepping stone toward the rich final of that series on August 19 and victory is very important as the loser of the heat will have to contest a repechage in Australia.
Talking after Changeover's return to the public arena yesterday, Small said the task of training a horse for a match race was tricky.
"It is a strange one," said Small.
"Ideally we would like an easy heat and then build his fitness up more and more heading to the semis and the final.
"But there are no easy races against him [Gotta Go Cullen] so we have to turn up ready for a big performance first up because he has already had a race this time back in."
The unique tactics of match racing was one reason driver David Butcher sent Changeover forward from his wide draw on his way to victory in yesterday's weak 2200m workout heat at Alexandra Park.
Changeover was not asked for his best to hold out stablemate Pocket Baileyship by a head in a solid 2:45.8, his last 800m in a sedate 58.6sec.
"That was about what we wanted from him and we were pretty happy," said Small.
"He has kept growing since the Harness Jewels and is very big these days but still fit."
While TAB bookies have confirmed they will take fixed odds betting on the heat if only Changeover and Gotta Go Cullen start, they may change their minds if there are other acceptors.
* Pick6 punters have another huge pot to chase this week, with $200,000 guaranteed at Alexandra Park on Friday.
* One Dream will start from barrier three in Friday night's A$75,000 ($82,000) Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley.
She will clash with her last-start Queensland Oaks conqueror Dance Of Life (two) and local superstar Miss Hazel (barrier seven).
* The junior drivers championships will be held at Addington tomorrow, with the leading young reinspeople from both islands competing.
