Racing: Defending champion at crossroads in the Cup

Tonight is the most important of Elsu's career.

The defending champion goes into the Auckland Cup at a crossroads - if he wins he is still the King, lose and his crown is gone.

Just two months ago Elsu was harness racing's all-conquering champion but a shock defeat after leading in the New Zealand Cup and a career-worst performance in the Miracle Mile have dulled his shine.

He looked close to his best with his luckless second to Jack Cade in the Summer Cup eight nights ago, with trainer Geoff Small adamant Elsu will be fitter tonight. He will need to be.

Not only does he face arch-rival Just An Excuse and a host of group one winners but he needs victory tonight to close on his ultimate goals: the Interdominions and a commercial stallion career.

If he wins tonight he will return to being rated the horse to beat in the Interdominions, with that aura valuable for getting through the series without being attacked.

Victory would also ensure Elsu remains a hot stallion prospect, rather than a horse who lost too many fans among breeders in the second half of his career, like Il Vicolo and Iraklis did.

"I know this is a very big race for him and I think he is as good as he has been," says Small.

"Last week's race cleaned him up and we will have no excuses. I just hope for some luck in the first 400m because I think the horse among the favourites who gets that is the one to beat."

If Elsu gets that luck and produces anything like the performance he did in this race last season he will win.

But that has been the question of the harness racing season: Is Elsu as good as last season?

Tonight we should find out.