The great enigma of New Zealand pacing is back and shaping as a serious New Zealand Cup chance.
Auckland Reactor stunned punters and probably even his army of fans when he made a safe standing start beginning on his way to winning the Avon City Ford Cup at Addington lastnight.
The $1.5 million earner has been dogged by bad barrier manners throughout his career but began best of the big guns last night before settling in midfield.
Then he added another string to his bow, coming from five lengths off the leaders at the 400m to grab Smiling Shard in the last stride.
The win not only guarantees him a start in next month's $600,000 New Zealand Trotting Cup but will almost certainly convince trainer Mark Purdon to now aim him for that race as his main spring target.
But another glamour pacer's Cup campaign hit the rocks when last season's best four-year-old Franco Emirate galloped badly at the start and lost all chance last night.
Monkey King also missed getting away but ran on well.
