Racing: Also-ran gets his chance in Elsu's absence

Kirk Larsen likes being forgotten.

In fact, he wouldn't mind if the rival drivers in tomorrow's New Zealand Trotting Cup forgot all about him and Howard Bromac until about the 200m mark.

Because that is when Larsen plans to remind them just how good Howard Bromac is.

The Southland pair will head onto the Addington track tomorrow intent on finally ditching Howard Bromac's perennial placegetter tag, one which has seen him performing under the radar for most of the season.

Not that the bridesmaid's tag is unwarranted. He acquired it during a profitable yet frustrating campaign last season in which he ran third in Australasia's three biggest handicap races - the New Zealand Cup, the Auckland Cup and the Hunter Cup.

Each time, Elsu finished in front of Howard Bromac, but, with the champ now retired, Larsen, who trains and drives Howard Bromac, can see his pot of gold at the end of the Addington home straight.

For that to happen, though, Larsen says he has to stay out of trouble and let his rival drivers cause some chaos.

"It is going to be a funny race because so many horses can win it," he explains.

"Last season everybody always had their eyes on Elsu and most drivers knew deep down they couldn't beat him.

"But this year's race is so different. There will be six or eight guys out there who know they can win and that is going to mean plenty of moves.

"That could see them end up pacing 4:0 for the 3200m and that would suit us just fine."

Larsen's plan in most of the group one races last season was simple: get to the markers, save ground and try to get as much place money as possible.

It was a cunning move in the gelding's first real season in the big time, but this year the 6-year-old is stronger and more capable of doing work in the running.

Not that he is likely to get much chance to show that tomorrow. Howard Bromac has drawn the inside of the second line, from where Larsen could spend the first 2800m of the race as a virtual spectator.

"It could pan out that way but at least we follow out the right horse in Alta Serena. I think after all the problems other horses have had, she is the one to beat.

"All I can do at the start is follow her, see what happens and hope they go hard because if they do, he will be running on better than most of them.

"I know that because he has been there and done that before."

Larsen's biggest concern going into the race is the draw, as Howard Bromac is very fast from a standing start when off the front but nervy when off the second line.

"I would prefer to be off the front because he likes to see a bit of daylight and can be funny off the second line. But I am not that worried about it."

And in typical laid-back Southland fashion, Larsen has an interesting take on what tomorrow's race means.

"I'd love to win it because it is the New Zealand Cup and it is the race everybody gets brought up trying to win.

"But it won't worry me too much if he can't, because these days there are so many more options.

"I mean, with the Interdominion Final having gone up to A$1.5 million and races like the Hunter Cup worth more than the New Zealand Cup, you have to be realistic.

"It is our best race but it should be worth at least $500,000 to recognise just what it means to the industry."

Larsen says that regardless of how Howard Bromac performs, punters should follow him in the last race of tomorrow's monster programme.

"Albert Patron is in there and I think he will be hard to beat.

"He won well fresh-up and I was thrilled with him at the trials last Wednesday. I can see him staying nice and handy and being tough."