By MICHAEL GUERIN
Alexandra Park could play host to a rarity tonight - a backmarkers' feature double.
Horses winning off backmarks on the lightning fast track are a rarity but Agua Caliente and Kawarau Invasion have the credentials and conditions to complete the rare feat tonight.
They will start off the backmarks in the Thames Pacing and Trotting Cups respectively but are still the horses to beat.
Both are Interdominion heat winners, both are in small fields which will help negate their handicaps and both have 3200m to play catch-up.
Agua Caliente should start the backmarkers off on the right foot as he chases his third Thames Cup.
He came from last to destroy a similar field over 2700m last start after starting from a 55m handicap.
"It is hard to say he is better than he was last start because we haven't done a lot with him," said driver Glen Wolfenden.
"But if the race is run more or less the same and we get a similar run then I suppose the result should be the same."
Racing off backmarks suits Agua Caliente, helping placate his early manner problems as well as lending itself to his booming sprint.
"I won't be looking to rush off around them in the middle stages because he is so much better with one run at them."
Clifton Gold is the newcomer to this grade who will get a huge handicap start from the favourite but with only eight starts may lack the ringcraft for the big time just yet, which could promote Seafield Raider to being Agua Caliente's biggest danger.
While Kawarau Invasion faces only a 30m backmark in the Trotting Cup his task is harder than Agua Caliente's.
He has yet to win over 3200m, with his performances being in speed trips.
But his late start eighth behind Bold Kamwood is best forgotten as he got too far back from a 40m mark over 2700m.
Tonight he will have more time to find his feet and as trotting races invariably have mid-race moves, driver Maurice McKendry should be able to secure an economical drag.
In that situation Kawarau Invasion would appear too quick for most of his rivals, many of whom having been below their best.
His obvious danger is Bold Kamwood, who looks headed for the open class ranking that just eluded him as a pacer.
He will appreciate tonight's 3200m while the value could be Kipper Dee, who has been running on well lately and saves his best for this distance.
Racing: Backmarkers in the spotlight
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.