The master admits he fears the pupil going into today's Kaikoura Cup.
The final lead-up to the New Zealand Trotting Cup has drawn its best field in years, with Chloe Hanover the only serious local Cup hope missing.
Which will make the task of favoured backmarkers - and early New Zealand Cup favourites - Holmes D G and Yulestar more difficult than it may appear at first glance.
The connections of both face a conundrum. Of course they want to win the $27,000 feature and would also like a bold showing heading into the Cup in a fortnight.
But the last thing they want is a gutbusting run so close to the Addington feature.
"It is going to be a big ask to win from the 20m backmark," admitted Holmes D G's trainer-driver Barry Purdon.
"I couldn't be happier with the way he is but this is a tough race for the backmarkers. The bends here are tight and it is hard to make ground and you lose a few lengths if you are wide on the final bend.
"I want to win but I wouldn't be taking off in the middle stages unless I can get a cart into the race because otherwise it would be just too tough, no matter how good your horse is."
With the backmarkers facing a tough time Purdon opts for Mac De Stroyer, trained by his former stable foreman Todd MacFarlane, as the horse to beat.
"Mac De Stroyer came down with us on the truck last week and he looked great. Todd has done a superb job getting him ready," said Purdon.
While Mac De Stroyer won the first northern open class race on the season it was his second to Holmes D G in the North Shore City Stakes on October 6 which has earned him so much respect.
"That was a good run. He kept finding all the way to the line and I think that proved he has made the step up to being a good open class horse."
Boosting Mac De Stroyer's chances today are his greatly improved standing start manners which should allow him to settle handy enough to what will be a strong pace.
That will be crucial because any pacer having to give speedsters Stars And Stripes and Ouch a start at the 800m will be in trouble.
For Stars And Stripes today is a must-win race if he is to make the New Zealand Cup field.
He will be improved by his unlucky sixth in the Flying Stakes at Ashburton last Monday and is the ideal type for Kaikoura.
The value option could be Bogan Fella, who will be appreciating his recent concentrated racing.
He stormed home at Ashburton when suited by the national record pace and is well placed in the handicaps today. With a quick beginning he could get handy and be hard to run down.
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Courage Under Fire suffered his second defeat on end on Saturday night in the most crushing style.
The former Kiwi pacing hero finished a distant third last in the $A125,000 Australian Pacing Championship at Albion Park won in stunning style by Atitagain.
Atitagain led from the ace for new trainer Dennis Wilson and rated an amazing 1:57.9 for the 2645m to win by a length from trailer Safe And Sound, with Justice Prevails third.
Wilson hopes the win is enough to earn Atitagain an invite to next month's Miracle Mile, a race which is also on the agenda for Courage Under Fire.
But the latter will need to raise him game to threaten in the Mile after Saturday's lacklustre performance.
He was pulled back to last by trainer-driver Brian Hancock from his outside draw but could not make ground when asked.
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One New Zealand Cup dream blossomed as another wilted at Kilmore yesterday.
Dennis Wilson's dream weekend continued when New Zealand Cup outsider Zyuganov Leis bolted away with yesterday's Kilmore Cup.
The race started with three New Zealand Cup contenders but ended with two.
Wilson drove Zyuganov Leis beautifully to settle in the one-one with 1600m to run and he easily outfinished Chariots of Fire winner Lombo Rapida to land a huge betting plunge.
The win confirmed his trip to Addington and saw his odds slashed to $14 but the news was not so good for the other two Australian raiders entered for our greatest race.
Breeny's Fella was not suited by being trapped three wide from the mile but was under pressure a long way from home and will be looking for a far more economical trip in the New Zealand Cup, in which he is now a $12 shot.
But the big flop was favourite The Major Bid, who has already been backed to win big money in the Cup.
He reached the lead after a lap but was beaten 600m from home and is now highly unlikely to make the trip.
Racing: Backmarkers facing tough test in Kaikoura Cup
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