By MICHAEL GUERIN
He left New Zealand a champion - he is returning the enigma of Australasian racing.
Courage Under Fire is coming home. The New Zealand record holder for consecutive wins will start in next week's Sky City Auckland Trotting Cup.
Trainer Brian Hancock confirmed yesterday Courage Under Fire would make a one-race raid on his former homeland, arriving in Auckland next Monday and leaving just days after the $250,000 cup.
While Courage Under Fire has written a page in New Zealand racing history that is unlikely to ever be erased, he is coming home with his career in a shambles.
The little stallion who was once unbeatable has nearly forgotten what it is like to win, with one moderate class victory three starts ago the only rose among the thorns of dismal failures in the Miracle Mile, Australian Pacing Championships and Trueur Memorial.
But Hancock refuses to give up on the 5-year-old.
"He ran on all right and at least driving him like that I had a horse left after the race," said Hancock of his conservative tactics last Saturday.
Hancock will want to have plenty of horse left as Courage Under Fire could hardly have picked a tougher time to come home.
He will be clashing with world 3200m record holder Yulestar, dual Miracle Mile winner Holmes D G and the pacer who beat them both in the New Zealand Free-For-All in Agua Caliente. Throw in defending champion Happy Asset and Victoria Cup winner Breeny's Fella and Courage is going to need to live up to his name.
The cup challenge would appear to be the idea of owner Greg Brodie as Hancock is not a fan of standing start 3200m races. He has almost always electing to bypass Australia's richest race, the Hunter Cup, because of those conditions.
Courage Under Fire's battle weary army of fans have another reason to be excited about his return - the prospect of a career high dividend, as he is likely to be on the fourth line of betting when fixed odds for the cup come out this week.
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While the Auckland Cup market will provide punters with plenty to think about this week some face an even bigger challenge.
The Auckland Trotting Club will again host the High Rollers Challenge on Friday night with a $50,000 pot at the end of the rainbow.
The punting competition made a successful debut last season and ATC and TAB officials are confident of attracting even more entries this year.
Punters or syndicates have to front with $1000 to spend on the 10 races, with a minimum of $100 to be spent per race.
The entry with the highest return at the end of the night takes away the $50,000, the Cardigan Bay Cup and bragging rights to being the best harness racing punter in New Zealand. There will also be a $5000 prize for the most successful on-course entry.
It cost $50 to enter the High Rollers Challenge and entries can me made at Alexandra Park (closing 5.30 pm Friday), the TAB (closing midday Thursday) or by phoning 0800 102 106 (closing 1 pm Friday).
Racing: Courage coming home for cup
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