KEY POINTS:
A change of early-season attitude by trainer Geoff Small should be enough to land Awesome Armbro a comeback win tonight.
The five-year-old returns to racing off a tricky 30m handicap in the 2200m feature pace at Alexandra Park, his first step on the road to the New Zealand Cup.
While he is only assessed as a seven-win horse, Awesome Armbro opened as the fourth favourite for the New Zealand Cup on Wednesday, probably inspired by his fourth in last season's Auckland Cup.
Backing horses trained by Small in their comeback races can be a highway to the poor house as he usually leaves plenty of improvement in them early in the season.
There was no better evidence of that than his champion pacer Elsu, who was often beaten fresh-up later in his career.
But the South Auckland trainer says Awesome Armbro is in a different situation heading into tonight's race.
"He may be one of the favourites for the New Zealand Cup but he still needs form to get in the race," he explains.
"I think any winning form will be important and that is why I have him pretty ready fresh-up."
Awesome Armbro has done plenty of solid work at home before starring at two recent workouts.
He beat subsequent winner Puhinui Rainbow at the Pukekohe workouts three weeks ago, then easily accounted for open-class guns Foreal and Sly Flyin at the Alexandra Park workouts last week.
"He felt great there and is stronger than last season," said Small. "That strength has helped Awesome Armbro clean up his gait, which was a major problem as a three-year-old but had improved markedly last season.
"He drove beautifully at the workouts last week and he feels very fit. It is never easy to win over 2200m off a handicap but I think he is the one to beat."
His task tonight has been made far easier by the scratching of Marika. The latter has been in superb form since joining trainer Michelle Wallis but will now miss the race, slashing Awesome Armbro's odds. But if Awesome Armbro was to make a mistake early, he would be severely punished off such a tough handicap in a big field over the sprint trip.
Both Small (High Flyin) and Marika's trainer Michelle Wallis (Matter Of Pride) have usual upset chances in the race and the pair could keep the pace on from the front line.
Those taking trifectas should also include The Adman, who never got clear in the home straight in the corresponding race last Friday.
