KEY POINTS:
Trainer Geoff Small is quietly confident Awesome Armbro can put his stable's New Zealand Cup assault back on track at Kaikoura today.
The five-year-old looks the value runner in the $50,000 Kaikoura Cup, his final lead-up to the Addington classic on November 13, even though his preparation has been hardly ideal.
Two weeks ago Small's New Zealand Cup plans couldn't have been going more smoothly, with Changeover unbeaten since January and Awesome Armbro a huge last-start third at Alexandra Park.
While the wheels haven't exactly fallen off, they are in need of some tightening.
Not only did Changeover race below some expectations when fourth in last Monday's Flying Stakes at Ashburton but Awesome Armbro has missed work because of a hoof abscess.
That threatened to end his NZ Cup campaign but improvement this week, coupled with a pleasing workout on Saturday, has Small thinking he could be the surprise package today.
"I was very happy with the way he felt yesterday (Saturday)," said Small last night.
"He feels very close to the mark and while I wasn't thinking we could win this race early in the week now I wouldn't be surprised."
While his hoof is no longer a major concern, Awesome Armbro's standing start manners may be. He has bobbled away in three starts this campaign, something he can't afford to do on the flat Kaikoura track, which so favours those racing close to the pace.
"I think he will be all right following them out from the second line, though," said Small.
Even with a good beginning, he could be giving favourites Classic Cullen and Bondy a start, making them hard to catch.
Classic Cullen was a fighting third in the Flying Stakes and trainer Mark Purdon says he has come through the race well, making him the horse to beat today.
Bondy is a fast beginner who gets his best chance to measure up in open class, while the rejuvenated pair of London Legend and Waipawa Lad provide value in a race which could be decided at the start.
The cup is not the only feature at Kaikoura today, with exciting trotters Stig and Mountbatten clashing with northerner Braig in the main trot. Mountbatten is favored by the handicaps and could be too slippery for Stig, who may not be ideally suited by the track.
The Sales Series Pace hosts a strong northern contingent, headed by Bachelorette, although either of Kuai Diam and Victory Spirit could win with the right run.
TAB Kaikoura Cup market: $3 Bondy; $3.20 Classic Cullen; $6.50 Awesome Armbro; $7 Waipawa Lad; $7.50 Report For Duty; $9 London Legend; $26 Fake Chance; $41 Presido, Keeprightondreaming; $101 Kay N Kayes.
* New Zealand Trotting Cup, November 13: $3.20 Changeover; $5.50 Baileys Dream; $6 Monkey King; $7 Classic Cullen; $12 Waipawa Lad; $13 Awesome Armbro; $16 Foreal, Tribute, Sly Flyin, Flashing Red; $21 Bondy, It's Ella; $31 Roman Gladiator, Power Of Tara; $51 Report For Duty; $101 Likmesiah, Nick Off Holme, Howard Bromac; $151 Marika; $301 Keeprightondreaming, Presido; $501 Kay N Kayes.
