KEY POINTS:
If you thought champion trainer Geoff Small had a bad Friday night, life didn't get easier at the weekend.
Small's powerful team were reduced to bit players on the opening night of Auckland Cup week, leaving the South Auckland horseman wondering what went wrong.
On Saturday he found out.
Small had five of his starters from the previous night checked out by the vet and all were found to have throat infections.
"It is just one of those things that happens in a stable but we could have picked a better week for it to happen to us," said Small.
At least Small now knows why they raced below their best.
"It is nothing serious and the vet assures me know we are treating them they could be back to their best for this week. But it isn't ideal."
The setback will ensure Small keeps an extra close eye on his Auckland Cup hopeful Awesome Armbro in the countdown to the $400,000 classic on Friday.
Awesome Armbro was one of the favourites for the lead-up race last week but only battled into seventh, for obvious reasons.
"It is a real shame because his work had been great and we thought he was in with a big chance," said Small.
"But he is getting better now and will be starting on Friday night unless something shows up when the vet has a final look at him on Thursday."
Awesome Armbro was a brave fourth in last year's Auckland Cup but has been a problem child this season.
He demonstrated just what he can do four starts ago when he downed big names Report For Duty and Baileys Dream in the Manukau Cup in December.
"The only thing he has in his favour is that he was fit before last week and from his drawn (10) on Friday he will be able to be driven for one run at them.
"So he would like it if they go hard."
Small's most expensive failure for punters last Friday was much-hyped two-year-old Tintin In America, who started a hot favourite on debut but struggled into fourth.
"Usually when he sees other horses coming he wants to puff his chest out and tear into his work but David (Butcher, driver) said he wasn't like that last Friday. "But I don't think people should drop him on that. He is a smart horse."
Tintin In America faces a smaller, but stronger, field this Friday in the $35,000 Cardigan Bay Stakes, where he will meet unbeaten juvenile star Gotta Go Cullect.
Auckland Cup night has attracted strong but small fields with several races likely to have hot favourites, something which won't please TAB bookmakers.
They regularly get cleaned out by multi-bet punters at Alexandra Park meetings and last Friday night was no exception. And because they are compelled to offer fixed odds on all races on Friday, they will be praying at least one of the big names goes down.
There will be none bigger than Monkey King, with the speed machine now a dominant $2.30 favourite for the Cup after his second to Classic Cullen last Friday.
Classic Cullen - looking to go one better than he did in last year's Cup - is rated a $3.50 hope, with Baileys Dream ($6) the only other runner fancied although you can expect the bookies to take a risk with him on the night. The best value in the early book looks to be Tribute, who should be a big improver on last Friday's run and will start shorter than his $18 quote. The Butt brothers training-driving combination are always to be respected by punters.
