By MICHAEL GUERIN
Brian Hancock is vigorously denying reports that he did not want to bring Courage Under Fire home for tomorrow night's $250,000 Auckland Cup.
Owner Greg Brodie has been quoted in a Waikato newspaper as saying that Courage Under Fire would not be starting in the cup had the decision been up to Hancock.
"I thought the horse deserved a chance in a big race, even though Brian doesn't like 3200m and standing-start events," Brodie is quoted as saying.
"It's an about-face decision. He was never meant to return to New Zealand and it's a fluke he's going."
But Hancock, Australia's leading big-race trainer, said the report was rubbish.
"Greg wouldn't have said that and if I didn't want him to be here he wouldn't be here," said Hancock.
"I wanted to bring him and I am confident he can win the race."
Brodie is renowned as a hands-on owner who likes to have a big say in where and even how his horses race.
There was no better example of that than in February when he announced just days before the Interdominion Pacing Grand Final - where Courage Under Fire was hot favourite - that the stallion would be transferred from Bruce Negus to Hancock after the series.
So far the move which shocked the harness racing industry has failed to pay dividends. Courage Under Fire has only won one serious race this season and produced two below-par efforts, the latest in the Miracle Mile.
That has prompted TAB bookies to rate the pacer, who has never been beaten in New Zealand, an $8 chance in tomorrow's classic.
Those odds have been inflated by Courage Under Fire's having never raced over 3200m and only once from a standing start, for a win in a juvenile race three years ago.
"I am not worried about the standing start or the 3200m," said Hancock.
"From what I hear there are several horses, including some of the favourites, who can miss away. I gave my horse some standing start practice last weekend and he was good."
While Courage Under Fire's form has been below his normal high standard this season Hancock says he is not alone in that regard.
"Holmes DG's form didn't look that good going into the Miracle Mile, either.
"My horse's run at Bankstown last start wasn't too bad because we decided to drive him cold and he was running on at the end, which meant at least I had a horse to bring here."
In Courage Under Fire's favour tomorrow night is a good draw, which will allow Hancock to drive him economically, should he step safely.
That will suit the 5-year-old, who has not lived up to his name when back and wide in his races this season, but is still capable of running the sectionals required to win when handy or on the markers.
And Hancock has arrived in Auckland with a forgotten hero before.
Last year he rejuvenated Sir Vancelot to win a record third Interdominion after being written off as a 13-1 shot early in the series.
Racing: Champ needs to show Courage Under Fire
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