KEY POINTS:
The mobile start which was supposed to be Monkey King's saviour is shaping as another nightmare tonight.
The exceptional pacer takes on a hot 4-year-old field at Cambridge and looks set to start favourite - even from the outside of the front line.
Trainer Steven Reid says while he is thrilled to have a return to mobile racing for his stable star he is dreading see him have to come from the outside of the front line.
"I think it is almost impossible to overcome a draw like that, even for Monkey," said Reid.
"There are that many good horses in here and we are going to be giving them a decent start and we all know how hard that is at Cambridge."
Monkey King started this season with a series of stunning victories before developing a hatred of standing starts that cost punters a fortune and him his shot at the Franklin Cup crown.
He will now be kept to mobile starts, with Reid thinking he is good enough to be set for the Auckland Cup in March.
Which is one reason tonight's race is so important.
"He needs to start going good races again to get some respect and to get his own confidence back."
Adding to the concern with the draw is the fact Monkey King missed his final lead-up trial on Tuesday because Reid couldn't find a suitable mobile trial.
If he is below his absolute peak tonight he faces a huge task against in-form rivals like Power Of Tara, Retail Therapy and Awesome Armbro.
The latter looks headed for open class but is greatly inconvenienced by his second line draw, although he may be able to sit parked to overcome it if the pace is on early, forcing an easing of the tempo in the middle stages.
His stablemate Changeover will be the night's other star attraction when he clashes with Days Of Courage in the Waikato Guineas.
While Days Of Courage has been in outstanding form since coming north he faces a massive task against Changeover who is almost unbeatable left-handed and will be aided by the small field.
