Punters shouldn't let Mach's Back's poor standing-start record put them off him when the former southerner attempts to record his first Alexandra Park win tonight.
Co-trainer Logan Hollis says the veteran pacer is in superb form and he thinks he will handle the standing start of the $17,500 race eight well enough to give him a tactical advantage over the other favourites.
Mach's Back was a journeyman pacer in the deep south with nearly 50 starts for seven wins when he joined Pukekohe trainer Hollis and partner Shane Robertson two months ago, but has been excellent since, including finishing second in the high-class Uncut Gems final last start.
He missed a scheduled race two weeks ago because of a minor hoof abscess but Hollis says he has worked well since. But punters may be put off by the fact he has only placed twice in nine standing-start attempts, with a poor beginning enough to stop him making the most of his advantage of being off a 10m handicap, with only two horses on the front line and many of the other favourites further back.
"We have given him some standing starts at home and he has been good and last time he had a stand down south he led and was a close second to Memphis Tennessee in 4:1.9 for 3200m," says Hollis.