By MICHAEL GUERIN
Steven Reid has a weight problem.
Not actually his weight. The Pukekohe trainer is far too hyperactive to be piling on the pounds just yet.
The weight problem belongs to his outstanding mare, Dancingonmoonlight, who resumes as a warm favourite at Alexandra Park tonight.
Last season's New South Wales Oaks winner has several lengths on her rivals tonight on sheer class alone. And that is just going by last year's form.
"And I believe she is a fair bit better than she was last season," said the former premiership-winning trainer.
All of which suggests Dancingonmoonlight should win tonight's third leg of Pick Six. Until the weight issue rears its head.
Dancingonmoonlight weighs 45kg more than she did last season, and Reid knows most of that is because of muscle growth. He just doesn't know exactly how much.
"She is definitely bigger and stronger than last season and I now most of that weight gain is muscle.
"But my biggest fear going into this race is whether that weight gain has fooled me and maybe I have misjudged her training.
"It is hard to tell exactly how much of that extra 45kg is muscle and how much is fat.
"I have had a few people tell me in the last day or two that she looks a bit big.
"That doesn't worry me too much because she has always raced big in condition, but I could be just a little off target with her."
His concerns may be pre-race nerves. Reid is one of New Zealand's best trainers, and punters can feel confident he has got the mare's preparation right.
That being the case, she should win.
Dancingonmoonlight comes in very well under the conditions of the race, being a class-seven mare off only 20m in the class-three front race.
She has being stepping safely at the workouts and, since the field is small, should be able to get handy without being overly taxed.
So highly is Dancingonmoonlight rated that her trainer has not yet given up on securing the mare an invite to the $A200,000 Chariots Of Fire in Sydney next month - "although I will know a lot more about her plans after this race."
Reid rates her his best winning chance from a strong representation at tonight's Franklin meeting.
"I also give Caprock Prince a good chance because he is a pretty handy type, even though he is in a smart maiden field."
But he has a warning for fans of talented trotter Locanda's Mac, who is likely to start favourite in race four.
"We have had a few problems with him since he last raced and he has started galloping in his work again so I rate him an each-way show."
One of the highlights of the night will be the juvenile race in which Lord Vicolo will attempt to continue the incredible start to the siring career of Il Vicolo.
The latter has produced Jack Cade and Tricky Vic in his freshman crop to win the two feature juvenile races in the north so far this season, and Lord Vicolo is rated highly by trainer Barry Purdon.
Racing: Weighty issues for trainer
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