KEY POINTS:
Driver Todd Mitchell is hoping his greatest rival may unwittingly become his best friend in the Winter Cup at Alexandra Park tonight.
Mitchell faces the unenviable task of trying to overcome a 60m handicap with Mi Muchacho in the $20,000 feature, named in honour of the former voice of Alexandra Park, Reg Clapp, who died earlier this season.
Punters would have to think back to the days when Clapp was behind the microphone to find a pacer who has won from 60m behind at Alexandra Park, with few even asked to start off such a mark these days.
While pacers winning off huge handicaps was not uncommon until the 1980s the task has become much harder. The refinement of the breed and faster tracks mean even average horses can carve out quick sectionals.
While Mi Muchacho is clearly the best pacer in tonight's race he may have to pace under 3:00 for his last 2400m, and at least part of it will be three-wide. Such a pace is rare at this time of the year.
"I have never been this far back on a pacer before, it seems a long way when you are out there," said Mitchell. "I have driven Braig [open class trotter] off a 60m handicap at Manawatu and he couldn't even beat the one-win trotters.
"So it is a huge ask."
Mitchell says the only way he can see Mi Muchacho winning the race is with some help from likely second favourite Waitfornoone.
The pair outclassed their rivals in last Sunday's Thames Cup at Alexandra Park, when Mi Muchacho started off a 50m handicap and Waitfornoone 40m. Tonight there is 20m between them.
"That was a fair bit easier though because it was 3200m and a smaller field so I had a bit more time.
"This week I can see them going hard and the best thing I can hope for is Waitfornoone making a move and I get dragged into the race behind her.
"It that happens we might still have enough speed to win.
"But so much depends on how the race is run. It could be a race where I am chasing all the way and by the 800m mark I have no hope."
The shorter distance of tonight's race is just one reason it will he harder to win than the Thames Cup, with three new rivals adding to Mi Muchacho's problems.
Sue Dreamer, Maheer Dream and Diamond Dan are all last-start winners who missed the Thames Cup so come in ready to make the most of their starting advantage.
Diamond Dan is usually a fast beginner who will put himself in the race while Maheer Dream has a lethal sprint and could be ideally suited by following what should be a solid speed as the leaders make the back markers work.
Sue Dreamer was stunning downing Waitfornoone last start and while she meets her 10m worse off tonight, she is a vastly improved mare.
Waitfornoone may be having her last start tonight as a broodmare career beckons and it wouldn't surprise to see her go out on top.
She was typically brave running second to Mi Muchacho on Sunday after sitting parked for the last lap and downed Roman Gladiator in this race last season.
If she can put horses between herself and Mi Muchacho that may be enough to turn the tables.
