KEY POINTS:
Badlands Bute may have rediscovered his best form just in time for D-day.
The dual Derby winner of two seasons ago faces a crucial contest at Alexandra Park, needing to win the feature race to keep his Auckland Trotting Cup chances alive.
The speedster is one 10 pacers trying to claw their way into the March 9 cup which is shaping as the hottest field of the season.
One of his biggest problems is he is rated as just a seven-win horse although that could prove his greatest asset tonight.
The NZI Counties Mobile is a 2200m preferential barrier draw event, meaning Badlands Bute will start from three, ideal for one with his gate speed. Co-trainer Ray Green says the gelding is in the right form to use the draw.
"His work last Saturday morning was spectacular," Green told the Herald. "He went 2400m at Alexandra Park in 3:10, his last 800m in 56 seconds and final 400 in 27.5 and he was bolting at the line.
"It is the best he has worked since his three-year-old season, and if he can produce that on this track this week he will be hard to beat."
Aiding Badlands Bute's cause is that tonight's race is merely a step towards the Auckland Cup for horses like Waitfornoone and Alta Serena, whereas for Badlands Bute it is all or nothing time.
With that in mind, driver Barry Lee can afford to give Badlands Bute his head and expect not to be savaged too severely in the middle stages.
"I'd like to see him lead, the way he worked last Saturday he'd have to be a chance if he does.
"We realise we need a win to make the Auckland Cup and I think he can do it."
Even allowing for the class and stamina of mares like Waitfornoone and Alta Serena, Badlands Bute's biggest rival may be Mr Bojangles.
He is working his way back to his best form after hoof problems over the summer and from a handy draw he can threaten at each way odds.
Alta Serena has had a solid grounding at the workouts for tonight's event but it would take a massive performance to win fresh-up since October.
Nicky Hanover, Lord Vader and shock last-start winner Jag Star are others in the race who would need at least a win tonight to have a shot at an Auckland Cup start, ensuring a superb contest.
* Earlier in the night Green and training partner Robert Mitchell face a triple of horror draws in supporting races.
"You wouldn't believe we could have three other horses in and they all drew eight," said Green.
Elite Lad (race one) will be the first to try to overcome the wide draw but looks a better place chance.
Justa Tiger has the honour of going into race four as the only winner in the event and with several debutantes inside him he must still be hard to beat.
"He is working well and has gate speed so he will be a chance for sure," said Green.
Christian Spirit is looking to back up from an impressive fresh-up win in race seven but meets some talented opponents.
"I was thrilled with his first up win but it won't be easy to get handy from out there," said Green.
"He is being aimed at the Auckland Cup carnival so while he can win I wouldn't be surprised to see him strip a better horse in a few weeks."
That race looks one of the betting contests of the night, with class acts Maheer Dream, Alta Sirocco, Alpine Dream, Theo Bromac and Wapipi Express all capable of winning.
