Harness racing trainer-driver Todd Mitchell says a lack of race fitness may be all that stands between Monaro and a comeback win at Cambridge tonight.
The 6-year-old mare resumes in the $10,000 main handicap and Mitchell is thrilled with how she has come up for a new campaign.
"She has had two workouts and has felt pretty sharp," said Mitchell, who trains at Cambridge.
"She went her last 2400m in 3m 9s, her final 800m in 58s at the workouts last week and did it well.
"I think she will go close but her main aim is the Cambridge Cup the following week."
With that in mind Mitchell said he would be happy tonight to take a trail on Monaro, who won three of her last four starts last campaign.
"It would be pretty hard to park (race in the parked out position) a horse like Metekhi, who has been racing well and is fitter than my mare.
"But I'd be happy to be sitting close to the pace because she has good speed."
Mitchell said Monaro would spend most of this season racing against her own sex.
"I don't think she could race the open class horses but she will be very competitive against the mares because she has strengthened up this time in."
Tonight's race looks ideal for Metekhi, who has won two of his last three under similar conditions. In the small field, his 20m handicap does not look a great problem.
The meeting kicks off Mitchell's season proper, with a string of handy horses to return to racing in the next month.
The best is Sound Of Thunder, who impressed in a short campaign as a juvenile last season.
Today's programme has an earlier than usual start of 5.40pm, and with only nine races the $150,000 guaranteed Pick6 starts at 7.17pm.
The most popular anchor will be Cruzin Foralivin (race six) who has looked very talented.
- NZPA
