KEY POINTS:
Young reinsman Matthew White has been as surprised as anybody by the improvement of Kahuna Bromac this campaign.
But he has also been impressed enough to think it can continue in the $10,000 Te Awamutu Grass Cup on Sunday.
White, on target for a career-best season with 16 wins already this term, looks certain to easily pass last season's previous best of 26 wins.
His efforts put him third on the national junior drivers' premiership starting the weekend and three of those wins have come behind Kahuna Bromac, a former battler rejuvenated since joining hobby trainer Allan McCollum at Kumeu.
The first of his wins this season was in weak company when White was able to control the race at pedestrian speed and may have fooled punters into thinking Kahuna Bromac had fluked that victory.
His subsequent two have been significantly better though, suggesting the gelding has finally hit his peak as an 8-year-old.
"His last win was really good," says White with a hint of surprise.
"He was stepping well up in grade and then got three back on the markers and started to pull really hard 1000m from home.
"To still kick home and beat the horses he did was a big performance and if he goes that good again on Sunday he will be tough."
The biggest problem facing the young driver and his old charge will be the 20m handicap, especially as grass track racing so often favours the leaders.
"He stepped well last start and if he did that again it would be a big help. The more spots we can make up in the first couple of hundred metres the better," said White.
With likely favourite Love Basically out of the race it looks very open, with winning chances to Walk This Way, The Little General, High Flyin, Udare, and Franco Azore.
High Flyin has been racing in far stronger fields, finishing second on a premier night at Alexandra Park last start.
He is a natural stayer suited to the grass - he has a win and three placings from four start on the surface - but races best when he can get handy so the tempo of the race will be crucial for him.
High Flyin also meets Kahuna Bromac 10m better off than when he ran fourth behind him at Cambridge.
Walk This Way is the runner enjoying the greatest drop back in grade after taking on Awesome Armbro, Montecito and One Dream recently.
While she was outclassed in that company, she has performed well on grass in the past although the 30m backmark suggests she is going to need some racing luck.
Earlier in the programme, White could provide punters with an each way chance at decent odds when he drives Meander In The Sun (race six).
The mare has been outclassed on premier night at Alexandra Park recently but likes a grass surface.
White also has prospects with General George (race two) and Simply Magic (race seven).
