KEY POINTS:
Trainer Geoff Small believes he may cost his champion pacer Changeover recognition at the Horse of the Year awards.
The annual awards dinner will be held at Alexandra Park tomorrow night and Changeover's battle with Gotta Go Cullen for the 4-year-old male pacing title will be the most hotly contested of the night.
But Small admits his own troubles may play against Changeover.
Small is locked in a delayed legal battle with Harness Racing New Zealand over minor swab irregularities and a much more serious driving charge dating back 19 months.
None of the charges have been heard yet because of legal delays, which has drawn criticism from sectors of the industry.
Small knows that won't help Changeover tomorrow night, especially considering some of his biggest critics are in the media, who vote on the awards.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Gotta Go Cullen gets the award because of the stuff I have been going through," suggested Small bluntly.
Both 4-year-olds had mighty seasons and either would be a worthy winner of the much-anticipated award.
But Small's priority with Changeover now lies with this season and he is pleased with how the powerful pacer is working toward peak fitness with the New Zealand Cup his major target.
Small has a strained relationship with HRNZ and won't be attending the awards tomorrow night but has far better chances of success at Alexandra Park tonight.
He has three favoured runners in Thomas Maguire (race two), All Tiger (race seven) and Zenad (race eight).
Zenad is the best performed of the trio as a 10-race winner but meets the in-form Retail Therapy in tonight's $20,000 main pace, named in honour of Hall Of Fame stalwart Bill Moat, who passed away last week.
Zenad returned to racing with a solid third at Cambridge last start and Small says he has improved since.
"He will be a better horse this week but whether he is ready to beat Retail Therapy I am not sure," he explains. "My horse might still be a run or two away from being at his peak while the other horse [Retail Therapy] has been racing well."
The pair, along with Mystic Mink, will dominate betting in the small field.
All Tiger has looked a potential Harness Jewels type pacer for Small since coming back this campaign, with the 4-year-old possessing open class speed.
"I have been very happy with him, even last start when he was beaten.
"I compare him to a horse like Victory Spirit [who was recently sold] and wouldn't be surprised to see him in some good races later this season."
All Tiger can still be a bit racy when set alight early but that shouldn't be a problem over the 1700m tonight and he looks one of the more likely Pick6 anchors.
Thomas Maguire is having just his second start in race two and looked a certainty beaten on debut.
He showed gate speed on that occasion, suggesting he should be in the box seat from the ace draw tonight.
MIXED BAG
* Trainer Geoff Small should play a big hand at Alexandra Park tonight.
* He has three winning chances, including two top Pick6 hopes.
* But Small is not so confident of success with stable star Changeover in the annual harness racing awards tomorrow night.
* Changeover's clash with Gotta Go Cullen will be one of the highlights.
