KEY POINTS:
Geoff Small had some good news for rival trainers after Awesome Armbro's slashing Manukau Cup win last night.
Because they won't have to worry about the speedster in the $80,000 Franklin Cup in nine days.
Trainer Small will surprisingly bypass the 3200m feature on December 31 in favour of the $75,000 Cambridge Flying Mile four days later, even though several horses will start in both.
"He definitely won't be starting in the Franklin Cup," he explained after Awesome Armbro came from midfield to down some of the best pacers in the north.
"He is still on the way back up after having a lot of foot problems so I'd rather go to the Mile at Cambridge, which will suit him better anyway."
But the distance isn't the main reason Small is targeting the Mile - the winner qualifies for the semi-finals of the Interdominions in Victoria in February.
"If he qualified by winning at Cambridge we would have to look at going to Melbourne, because there's also the Hunter Cup in February."
Last night's win was a fine training performance by Small as Awesome Armbro has been troubled by a hoof problem frequently since his huge fourth in last season's Auckland Cup.
The race was robbed of one star when Montecito was withdrawn just an hour before the race suffering from a kidney complaint.
"It is not that serious but he is too good to take any risks with. We still think he can make it to the Franklin Cup," said trainer Steven Reid.
Reid produced the shock of the night when he reined Party Girl Becqui to win last night's Sires Stakes heat at 75-1, coming from near last.
And later in the night, One Dream won the latest round of her running battle with Running On Faith when she led throughout.
* The toughest choice of Ken Barron's season paid a huge dividend when Georgetown captured the $70,000 Elsu Classic last night.
The Canterbury trainer-driver had to choose between Georgetown and Mattnamaras Band, knowing his choice would also be his drive in the $220,000 Sales Series Pace.
But he was proved right as Georgetown overcame a second line draw to down West Coast Anvil.
