KEY POINTS:
Steven Reid could do with some good news at Alexandra Park tonight.
Because he has had his share of bad luck this week.
The outstanding trainer has lost the services of New Zealand Cup runner-up Baileys Dream for the remainder of the season because of a stress fracture.
That means the open class star will not be heading to Addington next week as planned and more importantly will miss the $600,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup on March 6, a race for which he was fourth favourite.
"It is a shame but the long-term prognosis is good and he will be back next season," said Reid.
"But for now he will have three weeks total rest and then head south to be spelled down there.
"His next big aim will be the New Zealand Cup in November."
That still leaves Reid with Monkey King and Tennis Ball in the Auckland Cup and the pair will race at Addington next week in their lead-up races.
Tonight it will be representatives from the other side of the two-stable operation run by Reid and Graeme Rogerson who have the best chance of winning at Alexandra Park.
The stable's most interesting runner is Strike Up The Band, who looked high class on occasions last season and clashes with top 3-year-old Highview Tommy in race seven tonight.
Strike Up The Band has won seven races so comes into tonight's race beautifully and should have improved greatly with his fresh-up fifth at
Cambridge.
He never really got into the race but ran on well and pleased Reid.
"I think he is still on the way up but he feels like a nice horse. I am not saying he will beat Highview Tommy this week but I think he can under the right circumstances.
"A lot will depend on who ends up where in the running because Highview Tommy will be hard to catch if he goes straight to the front."
The latter scored his first win since the Harness Jewels last May when he won at Cambridge last start and looks the one to beat again tonight.
The race also features the vastly-improve Arden's Storm, who beat Strike Up The Band at Cambridge last start but should still be over the odds.
The Reid-Rogerson stable has several other winning chances tonight, including Maheer Princess (race one) and The Oyster Bar (race four).
Maheer Princess has always had ability but has also had her fair share of hard runs, something she could face again in a handy opening field tonight.
"It will be hard to win from the draw but she is a decent mare who will win her way out of this grade."
He was pleased with The Oyster Bar's debut performance on December 31, even though the talented juvenile only finished sixth.
He returns in a far easier heat and with a good draw looks the one for the in-form Sir Lincoln to beat.
OUT FOR SEASON
* Bailey's Dream is out of the Trillian Trust Auckland Cup with injury.
* The New Zealand Cup runner-up is unlikely to race again this season.
* His co-trainer Steven Reid has several chances when racing returns to Alexandra Park after a three-week break tonight.
