KEY POINTS:
To say Inspire's life has been interesting since the last time she visited Alexandra Park would be a touch of an understatement.
The Canterbury trotting mare returns to Auckland this week, looking to put her career back on track in the lead-up to the Rowe Cup on May 2.
It was that race, two years ago, which suggested Inspire had the potential to develop into a true great of her gait as she won New Zealand's toughest trot just eight starts after leaving maidens.
Only a 5-year-old, and in the hands of one of New Zealand's most patient trainers, Paul Nairn, she had the world at her hooves.
She hasn't won a race since.
At the start of her next campaign Inspire was sold to clients of Tim Butt and joined New Zealand's strongest trotting stable soon after.
There was a glimpse of form before injury struck ... and then the mountain back seemed too high.
After a year away from the track her form in her last campaign was almost embarrassing.
In desperation, the always-realistic Butt sent her back to Nairn to see if life in the country could rejuvenate Inspire.
It might just have worked.
The now 7-year-old mare impressed when sixth and fourth in her two starts back for Nairn at Addington recently and rolled into Auckland yesterday in good condition.
"She came through those Addington runs well and has worked well since," said Nairn.
"I think she is coming right."
Nairn is far too modest to suggest he has turned Inspire around, especially as he knows Butt is the master trainer of trotters in Canterbury.
But he thinks the mare feels as good now as she did when she won the Rowe Cup two years ago.
"I suppose we will only really know when the pressure goes on come race night but I am happy with where she is."
He also feels improvement is imminent from Day Of Reckoning, who will also race at Alexandra Park on Friday night in the hands of James Stormont.
"She takes a bit of racing to come back to her peak but I think she is getting there.
"I am aiming her at the Rowe Cup which is why James is on this week. He drives very well so I was happy to get him."
Nairn says the third member of his travelling team, Brite N Up, lost condition on the trip north so may need until next week to show his best.
And he is cautiously optimistic he will be able to get the early-season trotting sensation Stig back to the races.
Stig hasn't raced since breaking down last November just when he looked destined to be the dominant force in Australasian trotting this season after a purple patch of form against the best younger trotters.
He has been in the paddock since. Eating.
"I saw him the other day and he looks fat so I think we better bring him back into work," said Nairn.
"His leg has some scar tissue but I am hoping we can get him back."
Stig will not race until at least next season, but if he comes back to the form he was in last spring he could fill the void left by One Over Kenny's departure to Australia.
LOST AND FOUND
* Last time Inspire was in Auckland she won the rich Rowe Cup.
* She then changed owners and stables - and lost all form.
* But now she is slowly clawing her way back and races at Alexandra Park on Friday.
