KEY POINTS:
Phil Williamson doesn't expect to win tonight's Dominion Handicap with the best trotter in the race. But he still expects to win it.
Williamson, trotting's trainer of the moment, has three starters in tonight's $150,000 feature, the final group one of Addington's cup carnival.
Allegro Agitato is undoubtedly the most talented of his trio and probably New Zealand's best trotter in the absence of Interdominion champion Delft.
But while Williamson believes Allegro Agitato can overcome her horrendous standing start manners in tonight's 3200m race, he thinks she will struggle to overcome stablemate Jasmyn's Gift.
"I am sure Allegro Agitato will step," said Williamson in a statement that will surprise anybody who has seen the speedy mare go nuts in her most recent standing starts.
"She has been stepping brilliantly at the workouts and at home so I am not so worried about her manners, as long as the start doesn't take too long.
"If she does get away she will be awfully hard to beat, but I still have to go for Jasmyn's Gift as my best chance."
The latter caused an upset when leading for the last 1200m of the New Zealand Free-For-All last Friday in which the wet track helped her and disadvantaged several key rivals.
But Williamson says that race has helped Jasmyn's Gift.
"She is a funny horse and because she doesn't have the speed like Allegro she needs to be dead right to win a good race.
"And I think that is where she is at the moment. I think she is spot on and that being the case the 3200m will suit her. If she can work toward the front she will be very hard to catch. After all, Allegro might be giving her 15 lengths which I don't think she can do."
While Williamson holds a huge hand in tonight's race the lack of a standout trotter in the country means there are four or five others in the race who could win without surprising.
Stablemates Glenbogle and Whatsundermykilt are two chances, especially as they have drawn handy.
Whatsundermykilt appeals more as he has better staying form, although Glenbogle should be handy on the markers, always an advantage over 3200m.
Some Direction will appreciate the distance and being on her home track while defending champion Pompallier could be the best each-way value. He had little luck last Friday and can be his own worst enemy but if he can get into a rhythm early he will be hard to hold out as he seems very comfortable at Addington.
Tonight's meeting also sees freakish mare Mainland Banner trying to get her season back on track in a $25,000 mares' race.
She has drawn the outside of the front line but in a moderate line-up will have to win to justify a trip to next month's Victoria Cup.
* The odds: $4.20 Allegro Agitato, $6.50 One Over Kenny, $5 Pompallier, $8 Jasmyn's Gift, Glenbogle, $11 Whatsundermykilt, $13 Play On, $14 Mamalu, Some Direction, $16 Castleton's Mission, $40 Zuri, Cracker Nova, $50 Summit Invasion, Diedre Don, $60 Ado's Angel, $80 Marie Wishes, Aramid, $100 Last Link.
