KEY POINTS:
Our Sunny Whiz only needs a little mental improvement to record the biggest win of her career in tonight's $150,000 Dominion Handicap.
That is the opinion of Maurice McKendry, who pilots the Kumeu mare who will start close to favourite in the group one trot after a massive second on her Addington debut last week.
That performance, coupled with the scratching of the injured Stig and the 15m handicap faced by arch-rival One Over Kenny, means Our Sunny Whiz has plenty in her favour.
Punters could be excused for thinking that included her drawing the ace, but driver Maurice McKendry is not so sure about that.
"These days in standing starts one can be the worst place to start from," said McKendry.
"It means you can be standing longer but I don't think it will worry her too much because she is usually very good from a stand."
McKendry says his greatest reservation going into the 3200m group one trot is the slight problem Our Sunny Whiz had handling the Addington track last week.
In her first start left-handed she looked set to trot to the lead going into the first bend but galloped and lost 50m before storming into second.
"I think she was just a bit uncomfortable left-handed under race conditions," said McKendry.
"I don't think it is a big deal or will be a long-term problem and maybe she will handle the bends better tonight because mentally she will be a bit more comfortable.
"If she does, she has to be hard to beat because she is a very good mare."
Our Sunny Whiz looks the fastest trotter in the race and if she is on her best behaviour, she will simply have too much speed for most of her rivals.
McKendry says he is happy to lead with the six-year-old mare - or take a trail. "She can do anything now, so I am feeling pretty good about her chances."
While Our Sunny Whiz encountered last week's small speed bump in her build-up, One Over Kenny's entire season has been a car crash.
She injured herself in September and has only had two trials to get her ready for tonight - hardly ideal at a carnival where almost all the major races are being won in record times. Her trial at Ashburton on Tuesday was so dazzling she can win tonight - but the big field and 15m handicap are huge disadvantages.
Still, Flashing Red overcame such obstacles in the Cup last Tuesday, albeit with racing under his belt.
"You can't disregard her because she is a very good mare. I thought I had her beat in the Rowe Cup last season and she got us," said McKendry of One Over Kenny.
Mountbatten is an interesting runner tonight and heads the young guns with Houdini Star, who just went under in record time last Friday.
Whether that pair are ready for a gutbusting 3200m is the question but they are blessed with more natural speed than many of the older brigade who are clinging to their open-class competitiveness.
Some Direction and Allegro Agitato are great old mares who could win this at their best but those days may be gone, leaving Whatsundermykilt, Pompallier and Romper Stomper as winning threats.
HOT TO TROT
* Dominion Handicap, Addington's biggest trot, worth $150,000 tonight.
* Our Sunny Whiz gives the north a great chance for its biggest win of the Cup carnival.
* She gets a 15m start over arch-rival One Over Kenny.
* Tonight's meeting features a $400,000 Pick6.
