By MICHAEL GUERIN
Mr Reliable and Mr Erratic square off when harness racing makes it annual visit to Te Aroha tomorrow.
Mr Reliable is Lite Striker, the honest Kumeu pacer who should start favourite in the Morrinsville Cup after two seconds in better fields in his last two outings.
Mr Erratic is First Five Eight, who undoubtedly has the ability to win his way out of this class but nobody seems to know when he is going to produce it.
First Five Eight won two races on end in December, bolting away with a standing start event at Cambridge, hinting he may be ready to live up to the promise he showed last season.
But his two runs since then have seen him capitulate after leading as second favourite in a class two race at Cambridge and then gallop and break gear against the top 4-year-olds last start.
The roomy Te Aroha grass circuit should suit First Five Eight, and if he is on his best behaviour he can repay those who forgive him for his latest two failures.
But Lite Striker is the smarter bet.
The rugged son of Holmes Hanover appears ideally suited to the grass and will appreciate the big track.
While the 10m handicap Lite Striker and First Five Eight face would usually seem restrictive over the 2000m stand, it should be of little concern as few of the favourites start off the front line.
Racing: Te Aroha should suit pair
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