KEY POINTS:
After nearly 18 months on the outer, Todd Mitchell is back in his favourite racing colours at Cambridge tonight and he plans to make it count.
Mitchell will have his first big-race drive this season for trainer Steven Reid when he pilots Montecito in the $60,000 Jardine Insurance Futurity in a return clash with Gotta Go Cullen, his conqueror last Friday.
Mitchell used to be the first-choice driver for the Reid stables and partnered a large number of feature-race winners on both sides of the Tasman.
But a change of stable policy about 18 months ago saw Reid resurrect his driving career, with quite stunning results, while Ricky May became the stable's South Island driver.
All of which left Mitchell without any drives in the turquoise lycra racing colours which have become among the most feared in harness racing.
He is back on Montecito - whom he drove as a juvenile - because the 4-year-old could be an Auckland Cup starter in March, alongside stablemates Monkey King (to be driven by Reid) and Baileys Dream (May).
"It is good to get back on a top horse for Steven and I think we can win it," enthused Mitchell, whose group-race strike rate is exceptional.
It is hard to argue that point as Montecito was slightly below his best when just beaten by Gotta Go Cullen on this track last Friday.
Montecito went into that race underdone after a recent kidney complaint but still looked likely to catch the pacemaking Gotta Go Cullen at the 100m mark before his fitness gave out.
Reid is confident Montecito will be fitter tonight and he has more standing start experience than Gotta Go Cullen, which could be crucial.
"It is only a small field so I think that will help with the handicap (20m) so if he steps well he has to be the horse to beat," said Mitchell.
Despite their backmarks, it is hard to see the winner coming from outsider Montecito or Gotta Go Cullen as they are open class horses who come in well under the special handicapping conditions of the backmark event.
The reunion with Reid could spearhead a good night for Mitchell, who will also partner classy types in Braig (race nine), Rum Ball (race six) and Real Deal Yankee (race one).
Braig will appreciate the drop in class after spending much of the summer chasing champion One Over Kenny and Houdini Star around.
He faces a 20m handicap in a solid field but has the stamina to make his own luck.
Five starts ago he was third in the group one Dominion Handicap at Addington, the best form pointer for this race.
"He has been going big races without a lot of luck and this will suit him a lot better," said Mitchell.
"And I know I can use him in a race."
Rum Ball impressed Mitchell with her debut second against the pacing colts at Alexandra Park and could place in a smart field because she is drawn to do no work.
Real Deal Yankee has also impressed in the last month but races out of his class in the opening event.
"That will make it tough for him but he is a very nice trotter and if he trots as well as we think he can tonight he might go south for the 3-year-old trots down there," said Mitchell.
Real Deal Yankee clashes with fellow Cambridge 3-year-old Sovereignty, who has looked something special in his short career.
* IN REID CORNER ...
Todd Mitchell reunites with trainer Steven Reid in tonight's Futurity at Cambridge.
He will partner Montecito, the horse to beat in the $60,000 feature.
Montecito is seeking revenge over Gotta Go Cullen, who beat him on this track last Friday.
Mitchell also has a major winning chance in the main trot with Braig.
