By MIKE DILLON
Cent Home's biggest fear might be what wins him today's $A1.25 million Australian Cup at Flemington.
There is hardly a runner in today's feature who has led in a race and that lack worries the connections of the four New Zealand stars, Cent Home, Showella, Kaapstad Way and Giovana.
Cent Home will almost certainly be forced into the pacemaking role because he overraces on a slow pace, and it might work to his advantage.
It will allow rider David Walker to set the perfect pace to have Cent Home relaxed and Flemington, despite its fearsome home straight, can suit leaders.
"If he leads, he's the horse to beat," said rival trainer Frank Ritchie of Cent Home.
Ritchie is delighted with the way Showella has settled in and relaxed at Mike Moroney's Flemington stable after being flown into Melbourne at 3 am on Saturday.
The gamble to allow Showella to recover from last weekend's $100,000 Lion Red Stakes at home rather than in Melbourne appears to have paid off.
New rider Brett Prebble made a special trip to Flemington yesterday morning to ride Showella in light work.
"I discussed the lack of a leader in the race with Brett, but we didn't come up with any answers," said Ritchie.
"He said there is very little we can do about it - we'll just have to wait and see what happens at the end of the first 200m.
"I'm really not too sure what to tell him."
Roger James is thrilled with Giovana.
"She ran a mile here at Flemington on Friday morning, 20m out, in 1.44 and rolled home from the 600m in 37.
"Cent Home ran a much faster 600m in 35.5, but he only puddled around in his work until he got to the 600m."
Cent Home beat Giovana and Kaapstad Way in the St George Stakes at Caulfield last start and trainer Jim Wallace swears the horse has improved several lengths.
The travelling and racing have matured Cent Home. His first trip to Australia fried his brain to the point he could not perform, but this week he has been the most relaxed horse at Mike Moroney's stable.
No rain is forecast and the Flemington track is expected to be very fast.
The market yesterday:
$4 Kaapstad Way
$4.50 Giovana
$7 Cent Home
$8 Northerly
$9 Diatribe
$11 Showella
$15 Hit The Roof
$17 Hill Of Grace.
Showella looks great each-way value at $11.
Racing: Pace-making role could work Cent Home's way
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