Racing: Just An Excuse fighting fit for Cup

Just An Excuse told trainer Robert Mitchell yesterday he wants to win the Auckland Trotting Cup.

He didn't actually come right out and say it, but Mitchell could understand the body language so the giant pacer will take his place in next week's $250,000 classic at Alexandra Park.

Mitchell had been uncommitted to a start in the 3200m race until he was sure Just An Excuse had travelled home well after his third in the Victoria Cup last Saturday.

But it didn't take Just An Excuse long to convince him of that yesterday.

"I went down to his paddock and had a good long look at him to see where he was at," said Mitchell.

"And it was pretty clear he is ready for another race.

"He was chasing other horses around, running the fence lines and eating me out of house and home.

"So I decided there and then he will be starting in the cup."

Those words are sure to see Just An Excuse tighten in from the $5 price the TAB had him at last night, even though he faces the 15m backmark in the December 31 race.

While that hardly sounds ideal, Just An Excuse gave arch-rival Elsu a 25m start mid-race and beat him in the New Zealand Cup last month.

That was a repeat of last season's New Zealand Cup finish while Elsu went on to thrash a below-par Just An Excuse in the Auckland Cup last year.

Mitchell says even with the extra five metre handicap this season Just An Excuse should be more competitive.

"We were on the back foot heading into the Auckland Cup with him last season because he had lost a lot of weight after a bad trip to Sydney for the Miracle Mile.

"But he has come through this trip a lot better and he looks great.

"I hate to say it but he may even be better for his run in the Victoria Cup."

Confirmation of Just An Excuse starting is bad news for all of his rivals, but particularly those on the cusp of selection.

Many rival trainers expected Just An Excuse not to start and were hopeful that would free up one more spot in the field. Now that spot in gone and the race has become significantly stronger.

"I am not saying we are going to go out there and win it because 15m in that field will be hard to overcome but the way he looks we will be going there to win some money," said Mitchell.

Many of his cup rivals will clash at Alexandra Park tomorrow night in the $25,000 Iguacu Summer Cup, in which Elsu and Sly Flyin share the 25m backmark.

With many of the key runners not having started since New Zealand Cup meeting the race looks an intriguing one, especially with some notable changes in combinations.

Sly Flyin, who is one of the favourites for the Auckland Cup, will have a new driver tomorrow night with Tony Shaw taking the reins as trainer Tony Herlihy has to drive Maheer Lord, in whom he has a share.

Sly Flyin has only had the one start this season, for a good sixth in the Franklin Cup but has had little joy in the handicaps tomorrow night, being forced to share the 25m backmark with Elsu.

Easter Cup winner Blue Chip Rock will be having his first start for new trainer Barry Purdon.

"I have had him about three weeks and he has settled in well so I think he is pretty right for the race," said Purdon.

"One of his big problems down south was missing away in standing start races so hopefully he will make a good beginning this week and I can see where he is at for the Auckland Cup.

"He is a big strong horse and there is a fair bit to like about him."

Frank Cooney will drive Blue Chip Rock tomorrow night but regular reinsman Ricky May is expected to be back on for the Auckland Cup.

Purdon also hopes to have Miracle Man and Eagles Together in the Cup.

"Miracle Man should go well this week and I'd love to see Eagles Together get a start because he is very well at the moment.

"He wasn't at his best down south when he raced at Kaikoura and in the New Zealand Cup but he is a better horse than that."

Markets for the group one races coming up at Alexandra Park in the next nine days are. -

Great Northern Oaks, $100,000, 3yo fillies, mobile, 2700m (December 27): $1.35 Foreal; $5 Kamwood Cully; $6 Miss Bubbles; $8 Robyn Blue; $20 Star Of The Ball; $35 Idancedallnight, Hope To Live; $40 Attsa Nice, Dundrennan, Elite Belle, Affectionate Lady; $50 Baltic Wings, Spanish Rain, Trance, Sheza Lady, Dreamers Blue Jean; $80 P J's Dream; $100 Classic Mee, Midnight Slipper; $150 Eye Catcher Dream, Enjoy.

New Zealand National Trot, $50,000, mobile, 2700m ( December 31): $2.15 Lyell Creek; $5.50 Allegro Agitato; $6.50 Rosscoe, Pompallier; $14 Glenbogle, Whatsundermykilt, Paris Metro; $16 Young Pointer; $25 Ado's Invasion, Martina H, Iwi Alex; $30 Last Link, Hide In Your Shell; $60 Lanson, Eight Carat Bell, Gold; $80 Alexikov, Zirinovsky, Spin The Yarn; $100 Paramount Star; $150 Sunny Gem; $250 Springfield Willy.

Auckland Trotting Cup, $250,000, stand, 3200m (December 31): $3.25 Elsu; $5 Just An Excuse; $6 Mister DG; $8 Jack Cade; $12 Harnetts Creek; $14 Sly Flyin; $15 Winforu; $20 Howard Bromac, Blue Chip Rock; $25 Jagged Account, Maheer Lord, Bobs Blue Boy; $30 Attorney General, The Flyin Doctor, Miracle Man; $35 Light And Sound; $40 Oscar Wild; $50 Eagles Together; $60 Ambro Innocence; $80 Where Eagles Dare, Gracious Knight; $100 Oyster Bay; $125 Linford Christie; $200 The Power Of Wealth.

* Harness racing punters have been handed an early Christmas present by the TAB, with two $150,000 Pick6 jackpots this week.

The first will be at Alexandra Park tomorrow night and the other at the Cambridge meeting on Christmas Eve.

The Cambridge meeting starts at 2.37pm, with the last race at 7.05pm.