By MIKE DILLON
Don't be fooled into believing Arduous has not come up as well this campaign as she did last winter.
The classy Cambridge mare could go a long way towards proving how well she has come up when she fronts in the $12,000 Waikato Times 1400 at Te Awamutu tomorrow.
Last winter Arduous was almost unbeatable in the right winter conditions.
She included among her wins an impressive victory at Caulfield during a brief Australian campaign in September.
Owner Dave Smith says her 86433 recent formline is because of a combination of coming back a much stronger horse and therefore taking more racing to attain fitness, and a stone bruise after her first couple of starts.
"Ralph [trainer Ralph Manning] had only just started to get her properly fit after two runs when she copped the stone bruise.
"He virtually had to start again with her," said Smith.
Arduous' last two thirds have been behind the smart winter gallopers Adonis and Zabeels Angel.
Tomorrow she strikes a field which is well within her capabilities.
She will run for the first time on raceday in blinkers.
"She's on trial for the Whyte Handicap at Trentham next week," said Smith.
"And beyond that we might look at Australia again if her form is right."
Arduous has 58kg topweight, but that is only 2.5kg higher than the minimum weight.
Nothing Lika Tango has plenty of ability and his second to Zabeels Angel at Tauranga last start told you all you need to know about where his form is heading for the rest of the winter.
That was just his second start back following a lengthy break and can only have him fitter for this.
Party Queen was more than 14 lengths behind Zabeels Angel at Ellerslie last start, but her third was still a better run than her previously disappointing efforts.
Her trackwork lately appears to have been of a consistently high standard and she has the advantage of racing on her home track.
Party Queen has not raced on her home track since her debut win two seasons ago.
Oliverdance has yet to start in open company, but can play a big part in the $20,000 Windsor Park Stud Te Awamutu Cup.
The 4-year-old has looked impressive getting through the grades and poses a threat to a somewhat depleted line-up of handicappers.
There is huge scope for upset and value runners - virtually every horse has some chance.
Lately and Blown Away are better than their recent form suggests and the likes of His Destiny, Meteorite and Hangover Harry can all tear it off.
Racing: Formline no guide for Arduous
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