Racing: Poor dress rehearsal could be a blessing for punters

It takes more than a few cup trial tangles and a bandage to dent Peter Ferguson's confidence.

That is the Cambridge driver's attitude heading into today's New Zealand Cup with Mi Muchacho after a less than ideal final dress rehearsal.

Ferguson was aboard the then cup favourite when he galloped twice in last Wednesday's cup trial, cutting his near front leg in the process.

With the cut proving to be superficial Mi Muchacho was cleared to start today after handling Addington better when worked there yesterday, even though he was only asked to pace a pedestrian 3:29 for his 2400m.

Trainer Richard Anderson says a change of shoes will provide Mi Muchacho with more grip today so for Ferguson it is business as usual.

"I have spoken to a few people and they have told me a lot of horses struggle with Addington the first time they get there," said Ferguson.

"The track was bad the other day, too loose, but it is usually at its best on cup day so I think he will be fine on it.

"I still think he is one of the best horses in the race."

That should provide at least some boost for punters who have already taken the fixed odds on Mi Muchacho or who want to back the grey today.

The problem is, will rival drivers buy into Ferguson's confidence?

Before last Wednesday's trial disaster almost every other driver in the race, with the exception of Craig Thornley on Bobs Blue Boy, would have been happy to take a trail behind Mi Muchacho, so dominant had his early season form been.

Many of those spoken to since Wednesday have indicated they may not be so keen now, negating Mi Muchacho's weapon of intimidation.

If the five-year-old is back to his best today he will still take an enormous amount of beating as he is the most well-rounded of this season's open class newcomers.

He has shown good standing start manners, is very clean-winded so the 3200m should not bother him and he is very hard to run past.

So punters can look at Wednesday's mishap another way.

Before then he was certain to start a warm favourite today, around the $3.60 mark, now his price may get out to $5 or $5.50, which could be outstanding value.

Providing a poor dress rehearsal makes for a great show.