By Michael Guerin
Homin Hosed will have something special on his side at Cambridge tonight - himself.
The exciting 4-year-old has looked one of the most talented intermediate grade pacers in the north this season but also one of the stupidest.
While he has strung together nine wins from just 13 starts he has been his own worst enemy, especially during his Hall Of Fame Classic defeat at Alexandra Park last start.
His lack of concentration saw him shy at the winning post with a lap to run, ducking out and ruining not only his chances but those of several rivals.
But some specially made gear could come to the rescue tonight.
Trainer Brian Macey has fitted some over-sized winkers to Homin Hosed's gear in an effort to make him concentrate and driver Todd Mitchell says it has worked the oracle.
"I drove him in the workouts with the new winkers last Saturday and he was great," said Mitchell.
"He paced his last 800m in 57 seconds and was right up on the steel, where as usually I have to be keeping him up to his work."
Homin Hosed's new attitude to racing has renewed Mitchell's confidence in the gelding, even though they face a 40m handicap in tonight's $30,000 Elliot Futurity Final.
"I know 40m is a tough ask but he is really only giving away 10m to the better horses and he is tough enough to still win."
Mitchell faces a mid-race move with Homin Hosed to get close enough to justify their certain favouritism and will be looking for some assistance from second favourite New York Fella.
The latter's rise up the ranks this season almost rivals that of Homin Hosed but he was slow from a stand at his only attempt, a mistake he would not want to repeat tonight.
"But he is a tough horse too and I would expect Brent Mangos to be sending him forward at some stage, maybe on can get a cart up behind him."
If the two up-and-comers find their handicaps too much, Smooth Trickster could complete a superb month for southern pacers in the north's premier races.
He comes in unbelievably well under the special handicapping conditions on the race and has a good standing start record. If he reached the front the northerners could be flat catching him.
Revonez should take advantage of Courage Under Fire's departure to Australia to win the first Waikato Guineas.
Horse Racing: Gear change to smarten up favourite
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.