By MICHAEL GUERIN
John MacQuibban is going into the Easter Cup a winner.
Not that the Papakura trainer thinks his charge Classic Turbo is any certainty in tonight's $100,000 classic at Addington.
But just getting to Addington with his pride and joy has been a victory for MacQuibban.
He has battled bone marrow cancer for six years and lately the fight has been tougher than ever.
"I have had some rough times lately but his last win at Alexandra Park was so good I really wanted to be here," said MacQuibban.
So with careful planning and the help of his doctors MacQuibban will be at Addington tonight and Classic Turbo will be more than just an emotional favourite.
He easily overcame a 30m handicap to down tonight's race rivals Pic Me Pockets and Homin Hosed at his last start, convincing MacQuibban he is back to his best.
"He has had his problems in the last year and I don't really know why.
"But in the last month he has felt a lot better and I think that showed last time he raced."
Classic Turbo has already won over 3200m and while tonight will be he first start at Addington, the big track will suit his long stride.
He spearheads a five-strong northern assault on the most even Easter Cup in many seasons.
Complicating the puzzle for punters is a lack of real pacemakers in the field, as almost all 11 starters are better when driven off the pace, which could make for a stop-start tempo.
That would obviously suit those closest to the pace and for that reason the standing start manners coupled with the sprinting ability of Classic Turbo, Flight South and Pic Me Pockets put the north in a strong position.
If any of the trio can sit handy and come with one run up the spacious Addington passing lane it will take an enormous effort to beat them.
Flight South could be the value option as her brilliance from a stand should ensure she leads early, from where trainer-driver Andrew Neal can choose who he hands the front to. The pair used those tactics for their shock Auckland Cup win in December, proving her ability to follow a hot pace over 3200m.
Of the more established open class stars, Kym's Girl would seem best suited by tonight's conditions and she added a new string to her bow by leading throughout last start on this track, showing that age and experience may have finally given her the mental toughness to go with the her sizzling sprint.
The "southern sensation" tag may not sit so comfortably on The Tough Nut's head as it did when he was being over-rated earlier this season, but he returned to racing with an easy win over Annie's Boy and Happy Asset at Timaru last Friday. Tonight's race is significantly stronger and all three will need luck as they have shown an inability to work in the middle stages of their races at the highest level, making their 10m handicaps particularly difficult.
There will be much interest in the effort for 1999 Easter and New Zealand Cup winner Homin Hosed, returning to Addington for the first time since his greatest triumph.
He ran on well behind Classic Turbo last start and may finally be returning to his best. He gives driver Todd Mitchell an outside chance at an Easter Cup hat-trick after he also won the race with Facta Not Verba last season.
Racing: Win inspires trainer's trip
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