Racing: Indelible memories of race triumphs

Todd Mitchell has winner written all over him. In ink.

The Cambridge harness racing driver goes into tomorrow night's $250,000 Auckland Trotting Cup at Alexandra Park carrying proof of his ability to win New Zealand's biggest races.

The 32-year-old emerged from virtual obscurity in 1999 to win four of the last six New Zealand Trotting Cups, putting him up with the greats of the industry at an age when many horsemen are still looking for their first major cup drive.

So he decided to mark the feat, and his body, with tattoos to celebrate his achievements.

"I used to get the horses' names shaved in the back of my head before the race but this seemed a more permanent way of remembering the wins," said Mitchell.

"I got a bit of a hard time in the drivers' room the first few nights after I got them but everybody seems used to them now.

"I think the other guys probably give me a harder time after I leave the room."

Mitchell has won the New Zealand Cup on Homin Hosed in 1999, Gracious Knight in 2002 and the last two years with Just An Excuse, whom he drives in tomorrow night's feature.

But even his first Auckland Cup victory won't be enough to send Mitchell off to the tattoo parlour again.

"I think I'd better stick to New Zealand Cups because otherwise I might end up with my back looking a bit of a mess.

"But if I am lucky enough to win another New Zealand Cup I'll be back for another tat."

Tomorrow night's race is the latest round in Just An Excuse's personal war with defending champion Elsu, and TAB bookies have the pair favourites again for the 3200m event at 9.34pm.

For many of the 10,000 people expected to attend, the Cup won't even be the highlight because the meeting also features the return to Alexandra Park of champion trotter Lyell Creek.

"Having such a great cup field as well as Lyell Creek guarantees we are in for a big night," said Auckland Trotting Club spokesman Robert Death. "And even if it rains, we have the seating capacity in our grandstands to cater for the crowd."