Racing: Former Derby star should rule at Alexandra Park

Courage to Rule. Photo / Dean Purcell.

The night of February 6, 2010, must seem an awfully long time ago to the connections of Courage To Rule.

Because they couldn't have guessed that when he won one of Australasia's greatest races that evening he would one day end up struggling to regain his best form in a $8200 race on a minor night at Alexandra Park.

But that is the reality facing the injury-plagued pacer in the main handicap at Alexandra Park tonight.

Courage To Rule was one of the best 3-year-olds of his year, beating eventual Auckland Cup winner Sir Lincoln in the Victoria Derby on the last feature night of harness racing at Moonee Valley. He went on to run second in the NSW Derby and third in the Breeders Crown at the end of a season which suggested open-class riches beckoned.

But a 4-year-old season punctuated by bad luck ended with a shocking injury and ever since Courage To Rule has been out of sight, or in his three comeback races this season, out of sorts.

Trainer Brian Hughes hasn't given up on the now 6-year-old returning to something like his best and he will never get a better chance than against tonight's moderate opposition, even from a 25m backmark.

Courage To Rule hinted there was light at the end of his very long tunnel when he downed Gold Ace at the Alexandra Park workouts last week and would only need to reproduce that form tonight to be the pacer to beat. "Last week was better but I am still hopeful, rather than confident with him," said Hughes.

"He seemed good last time I brought him back up, over summer, and he didn't show his best.

"Maybe he has turned the corner but I am not going to tip him out as a winner because it has been a long time between drinks."

But Courage To Rule has found the perfect race in which to return to the winner's circle, with all his rivals having concerns over their standing start manners, form or simply being claimers.

And the fact he faces only six of them should negate his 25m handicap in the hands of Zac Butcher.

The race is the feature of a low-key meeting at Alexandra Park, the calm before the storm of the Rowe Cup Meeting which begins next Friday.

However, there are far bigger Kiwi names taking on Australia's best across the Tasman this weekend.

Expensive purchase Alta Christiano makes his debut from the Gary Hall stable in Perth tonight, with rave reports from the camp after a brilliant workout last weekend.

He is being aimed at next weekend's WA Derby, a race rich in former New Zealand-trained pacers.

At Menangle tomorrow night, Mah Sish looks to extend his Australian record in the A$100,000 Coca Cola Sprint, hoping to secure an invite to the Miracle Mile on April 28.

Weekend winners

Best bet: Rozelski (Addington R6, No.3): One of the better fillies in the country and working well this week. Should dominate.

Each-way: Georgia's Jury (Alex Park, R9, N.8): Another high-class filly down in grade and will be hitting the line hard.

Well placed: Rare Opportunity (R10, No.7): Most of his starts have been in far better fields. Should have a good autumn.