Racing: Trainer not confident of victory

There are many questions you can ask the trainer of a top horse on the eve of his comeback race - but this is the most important.

Is he ready to win?

Put that question to Richard Brosnan, who trains outstanding trotter Pompallier and you get thus response.

"I'd be very surprised if he did."

Which in punting terms means forget last season's Dominion Handicap winner when he resumes in tonight's Trillian Trust Trot.

Pompallier is undoubtedly one of the best trotters in Australasia and has won 16 races on his home track, 15 over tonight's distance.

But few trainers in the north are more conservative than Brosnan so believe him when he says tonight's race is a mere stepping stone to his Dominion Handicap defence at Addington next month.

Brosnan has only given Pompallier one quiet public workout this season, with most of his preparation consisting of long, slow work.

"He has been working around 4:35 for 3200m so he can't be as fit as some of his rivals this week," admits Brosnan. "I'll be happy if he is hitting the line well."

Which will be music to the ears of Ken Sefonte, trainer of favourite Our Sunny Whiz.

Sefonte is using this race as a guide to whether Our Sunny Whiz is ready to head to Addington next month for a crack at the big time.

But she will also earn a $10,000 bonus if successful tonight for recording her first 10 wins at Alexandra Park.

So you can imagine he is a little more interested in tonight's race than Brosnan.

Our Sunny Whiz dazzled her rivals with speed in his first race of the season three weeks ago and facing just a 10m handicap and with key rivals below their peak tonight she should win again.

Many punters will be keen to anchor her in the $100,000 Pick6 and they may need to as many of the other legs contain plenty of depth and will require multiple combinations.