Racing: Daytime Cup should have Sunny start

On a day when many of New Zealand's best harness horses are on display an inexperienced trotter with a bad draw would hardly seem your best betting option.

Unless that trotter is Our Sunny Whiz.

The four-year-old mare is the most exciting lower grade trotter in New Zealand and even with a few factors against her she looks the best bet at today's Auckland Trotting Cup meeting at Alexandra Park.

Our Sunny Whiz (R2, No.10) started her career in record breaking form last season and returned looking stronger and more settled four weeks ago.

Even from barrier one on the 10m mark it is impossible to go past her so those looking to build-up a bank for today guaranteed $250,000 should take the fixed odds on her early.

Trifecta and quinella punters could do worse to stick with the mares, as Bellam's Last Play (No.14) was massive here last start and Madam Heidi (No.4) look the best place options.

With final field fixed odds on offer for all 11 races today punters should go early on the hotpots because the TAB struggle to balance their books with really short priced favourites in good fields.

That means often a horse who will pay only $1.50 on the tote is opened at $1.70 on the fixed odds. That might not sound like a lot of difference but if you are taking multi bets in can make a mountain of difference to the final dividend.

Another example of that, even earlier than Our Sunny Whiz, is Ambro The Thug (R1, No.5). He only just went down the the Great Northern Derby last start so should be far too good in the opener.

Horses coming out of the recent classics look set to dominate the later legs of the Pick6 too.

In the fifth leg, race 10, Alinghi (No.1) has the barrier draw to lead and that could be the winning of the race over 1700m, with Oaks winner Tosti Girl (No.10) and Blackbird Fly (No.9) the only dangers. Blackbird Fly could be the better value as she is drawn to trail, which is all important over the sprint trips.

Another coming out of the classics is Roddick (R11, No.1), who was a sound fifth in the Great Northern Derby. His biggest concern in the crucial last leg of Pick6 is barrier one because he may not have the inexperience to hold the lead or trail.

If he does he should win, with the biggest, and maybe only danger, being Salalah (No.6).

The middle section of today's programme provides the meat of the day, with the trotters first to chase group one glory in race five.

While the National Trot has drawn most of the best squaregaiters in the country is is impossible to go past Allegro Agitato (No.5).

She may still have a few mental issues but is in the zone at the moment and the mobile start makes the world of difference to her.

Pompallier (No.10) is her only challenger for the title of our best trotter at this stage so is a logical danger today, although his best chance would be in the leaders get stuck into each other early.

Una Bromac (No.1), Delft (No.3), Iwi Alex (No.7) and Martina H (No.15) all have the ability to be in the finish but it is hard to see them beating the two favourites unless they have bad luck.

The Cup is the highlight of the day and no matter how you look at it the big two of Alta Serena (R9, No.5) and Howard Bromac (No.4).

They have the right combination of manners, form and feature race records to dominate and if they don't suffer bad luck one of them should win.

Bobs Blue Boy (R2) is the logical danger but he will need to settle handy or probably even lead because he doesn't have the outright speed of the favourites.

Tribute (No.1), Napoleon (No.2), Harnetts Creek (No.8) and Lord Vader (No.13) look the best trifecta hopes with a big question mark over White Arrow (No.6).

He is good enough to win and likes Alexandra Park but raced lengths below his best in the Summer Cup eight days ago and will need to improve an awfully long way in a short time.

The day's other big money event is the $150,000 Sales Series Pace in which Jays Debut (R7, No.7) is clearly the one to beat.

He has been luckless in his two runs at Alexandra Park this campaign but with many of the superstar three-year-olds missing he gets the chance to take this race by te scruff of the neck.

There could be an early rush to lead then take a trail behind him as driver Blair Orange has indicated he will head forward and look to lead.

Awesome Armbro (No.15) and Alta Sirocco (No.13) are the only rivals here with Jays Debut's ability but both have manners concerns at this stage which won't be helped by their second line draws over 2200m.

For that reason Alpine Dream (No.3), Christian Spirit (No.5) and The Reckoning (No.7), all of whom have gate speed, are the ones to include in combinations.

Another great betting contest will be the clash of Classic Cullen (No.4), Albert Patron (No.3), Mr Whoudini (No.5) and That's Life Lavra (No.9) in race three.

The handicapping conditions suggest Albert Patron will get his chance to lead and if he stays there the others will be flat catching him, although Classic Cullen is a class act who had no luck last time he raced here.

He is chasing an invitation to the A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire in Sydney next month and would need to win today to stay in contention for a place there.

Look no further than Robyn Blue (No.11) in race four after her stellar third to Alta Serena last start.