By MICHAEL GUERIN
Sometimes being the best is just not good enough.
And tonight's $20,000 Spring Cup at Alexandra Park may provide a perfect example.
The first northern open class pace of the season brings together New Zealand's two best pacers, Holmes D G and Yulestar, and punters could be excused for thinking the pair's class will be enough to see them quinella the feature.
But while that may yet happen, the race will not be the walkover it may look for the guns.
Both Holmes D G and Yulestar will be below peak for tonight's resumption, with the big Cups further down the path their obvious aims.
While Holmes D G had a sizzling trial at Pukekohe two weeks ago he was pulled out of his final trial last Saturday with 400m to run when a flat sulky tyre started to affect his performance.
"I don't think that will cost him any great amount in fitness but he will definitely be improved with this race," said trainer-driver Barry Purdon.
Purdon is thrilled with Holmes D G's progress this campaign but admits he can see the Grand Circuit champion getting beaten tonight.
"I think both Mac De Stroyer and Kliklite will be tough to beat because they are both fast away from the stand and have been trialling well."
Purdon will have at least one less worry with Holmes D G tonight, with the gelding having been faultless from a stand at recent trials, appearing to have shaken off his former erratic barrier manners.
There are very good reasons Mac De Stroyer and Klilkite should hold a fitness edge tonight.
Mac De Stroyer's trainer Todd MacFarlane needs to secure another win with the 5-year-old to graduate to open class, so will have him ready to rock tonight, as recent workouts have suggested.
And Kilklite raced over the winter, giving her a superior fitness base to most she meets tonight. A stunning beginner, she could lead early and be hard to catch over the sprint trip, which gives her one of her few real opportunities for success at this level.
The enigma of the race is Yulestar. He borders on freakish at best but has only had two sedate workouts in the Central Districts to prepare for this and can also be iffy from a stand, which would prove disastrous over the 2200m tonight.
While he is reported to have strengthened further this year he could be worth risking tonight.
The other newcomer to this grade with a fitness edge is Classic Turbo but that advantage has been somewhat negated by his second line draw.
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