Racing: Aslan may get lion's share

Smiling Shard is overdue to return to the winning list. Photo / Richard Robinson

Aslan makes trainer Robert Mitchell shake his head often enough he knows he can't rule out a winning comeback from the speedster at Cambridge tonight.

Even though Mitchell knows intermediate-class horses winning fresh-up after two years away from the track are almost unheard of.

A one-time Harness Jewels placegetter, Aslan hasn't raced for 23 months because of injury and returns to the track off a 30m handicap in the Te Awamutu Cup tonight.

Standing alongside him will be his old foe Five Star Anvil, who incredibly finished second to Aslan when he won his last start back in October 2010.

There has always been little between the pair on ability but with three recent runs under his belt Five Star Anvil deserves favouritism tonight.

"It will be hard for my horse to beat Five Star Anvil fresh-up," said Mitchell, who is back training the team of his son Todd, who is suspended until December.

"But this horse is very good. I work him down the beach and sometimes he does things that make me shake my head.

"So, while he probably shouldn't win, I wouldn't totally write him off."

Aslan has had three trials to ready himself for tonight and is even among the nominations for November's New Zealand Cup.