By MIKE DILLON
Trainer Jenny Vance and husband Bob have been waiting for Creme De Honor to show signs of training off, but they don't expect to see it in the $15,000 Franklin Bathroom Stakes at Counties tomorrow.
Bob Vance can't believe how tough Creme De Honor is proving to be.
"He came into work for this preparation in December, so he's done a lot when you consider all that included a trip to Brisbane," said Vance yesterday.
"He's a very, very tough horse.
"I can't believe he has done as well as he has. We have been waiting for him to show signs of going off, but his trackwork has been the best of his career - normally he's a shocking trackworker."
Despite his 57kg topweight, Creme De Honor looks a class above his opposition tomorrow. The heavy track will suit him ideally.
After this race Creme De Honor will take on 2170m at Tauranga as a test to see if he has a future as a stayer.
"We tried him at 1800m at Rotorua and he was narrowly beaten in a group three race, but the 2170m is very much an unknown.
Creme De Honor is a classic example of the winter horse with a touch of class who rises to the top of the handicap before winning a great deal of money.
"There is no way round that," says Vance.
"With a horse like him it's a matter of getting what you can when you can. There is no point in setting winter horses for races because every winter track is different.
"He's a real mud horse - he loves it."
Which is going to make it extremely difficult for an opposition which lacks any real depth of talent.
Te Atatu Chap is nine years old and mixes his performances, but is still capable of being a trifecta threat here. He tailed the field in the Winter Cup at Riccarton last start, but will find the overall class here a lot easier and the heavier track conditions should suit better.
Locally trainer Meteorite has a good record at Pukekohe more because the long home straight suits his racing style as much as familiarity. He makes his tasks so much harder by getting a long way off the speed in the early stages of his races, but can produce a decent finish.
The 1600m would normally be too short for Taumarunui Cup winner Just There, but in very testing conditions he may get into the trifecta.
For Kicks finished only fifth in last week's Foxbridge Plate, but it was a a useful effort and back to handicap conditions rates a real chance.
Racing: Topweight tough customer
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