KEY POINTS:
Junior driver Nathan Williamson admits he wouldn't usually be keen on a pacer starting off a 40m handicap in a feature race at Gore.
But the way Here Comes Soky won last start has forced him to change his thinking.
Williamson, having another great season, drove Here Comes Soky to an impressive win at Winton last Saturday, where he started off a 30m handicap.
Although he goes back a further 10m for the $20,000 Gore Cup today the opposition field doesn't look as strong, suggesting he can win again.
Last Saturday, Here Comes Soky made a flyer from his backmark on the way to beating favourite Charles Bronson, who is not an acceptor today, with the remainder a big margin away.
"I know it won't be that easy because Gore is a harder track to come from a big handicap and win on," Williamson said.
"But the field looks weaker than the other day and he can make a quick beginning, especially when he is on his own off a handicap.
"So I think he has to be the one to beat again."
Rathbone looms as a serious danger after he had to work too hard last Saturday, while a luckless runner was Classique, who got pushed back at the wrong time on Saturday.
Off the front today, Classique looks a good each-way chance in a race where she should be able to stay handier.
While the cup is the feature race of the day, Williamson fancies his chances with another drive facing a decent handicap, Blakatak in race five. The talented trotter was good enough to win in premier company at Addington last month and drops well back in grade here.
"He also faces a pretty tough handicap but he begins well so I think he will be too good for most of these," said Williamson.
- NZPA
