Racing: 'Bludger' to pay back the punters he burnt last start

John Parsons believes Harnetts Creek can make-up for committing racing's ultimate sin last start.

The outstanding pacer cost punters a fortune with a career-worst performance in the Hannon Memorial on September 25, and his trainer says it wasn't because of a lack of ability or anything physically amiss with the gelding.

"He bludged ... he didn't try," said a disgusted Parsons this week.

Harnetts Creek led until the 400m mark in the 2600m race but stopped to finish near last, yet returned to the stabling area hardly puffing.

"He wasn't blowing at all and his blood tests were fine," admitted Parsons.

"I have looked at the video of the race a few times and I am convinced he didn't want to be there, for whatever reason, so he just didn't try."

While that will hardly encourage punters into supporting Harnetts Creek in the $30,000 Nobilo Pace at Addington tonight the astute horseman expects a change of attitude.

"We will put some winkers on him and when he raced in them last season he was far keener. I think that will smarten him up and he has worked well on the beach so I think he will bounce back.

"And this race looks a good one for him and he had better show something if he is going to be a New Zealand Cup chance."

The New Zealand Cup is still over three weeks away and is the main aim for most in tonight's 1950m event, meaning several key players are still well short of peak fitness.

That is the case for likely favourite Howard Bromac, who looked badly in need of the run when he faded to sixth at Oamaru.

"He will be a fair bit fitter but he is still very much on the way up," says trainer Kirk Larsen.

"It can be hard getting an open class horse ready down here [Southland] but I gave him a hard run last week with a few galloping pacemakers.

"But I still think he won't be anywhere near his best until the Ashburton Flying Stakes or even the Cup itself."

Howard Bromac has drawn the best of the big guns in tonight's race and should settle handy on the outer without having to be used early so can still win. But punters shouldn't be taking any short odds about the perennial big-race placegetter.

Another on the way up, but with a trickier draw, is Likmesiah, who looks the sleeper of the open class ranks.

He was never clear at Oamaru and has matured into a serious contender but would need a hot pace tonight or a lot of luck early to be a winning chance.