Like many first-time trainers to Alexandra Park, Gerard O'Reilly is guessing with Master Bomber tonight.
And that should be enough to make punters wary of getting too carried away with the Interdom candidate in the $15,000 NZ Herald Trot.
Master Bomber has a class edge on most of his rivals in the 2700m event, in which he faces a 50m handicap.
He is using it as his test drive around Alexandra Park after Canterbury trainer O'Reilly never thought he would have to bring him north.
"It would have suited us a lot better having the series at Addington because he was all geared up for that," said O'Reilly.
"So we have had to make a few quick changes but I think he will handle the track all right because he is clean gaited."
O'Reilly's confidence was boosted when he gave Master Bomber a serious workout right-handed at Chertsey last week.
"It is about the same sized track at Alexandra Park and he seemed to get around there all right."
Even off his backmark, Master Bomber will be hard to beat if he brings his best to Alexandra Park tonight.
This season he has beaten some of our best trotters and finished fourth in races like the Ashburton Flying Mile and NZ Free-For-All.
But O'Reilly warns he will be just below that form tonight.
"He has raced for six weeks because we missed a race at Rangiora two weeks ago when he was sore.
"So I think he will improve on whatever he does this week."
O'Reilly will have to watch from the sidelines tonight as Master Bomber is in a junior driver's race, with Peter Hilliard doing the driving.
"The horse is staying with Pete's father, Ian, who is married to my cousin," said O'Reilly.
But he is looking forward to getting in the sulky when the Interdominions start next Friday.
"I haven't driven up there much but I drove a winner in my first drive there 20 years ago."
What he isn't looking forward to so much is taking on the great depth in the trotting series.
"I thought the best ones looked pretty good last Friday and I think it is a series where any one of 12 horses could win."
Pocaro apart, one of Master Bomber's main rivals could be fellow backmarker Fayanni, who seems to have come solid with maturity and likes 2700m at Alexandra Park.
WEEKEND WINNERS
Best bet: Pocaro (R6, No 7): Blessed in the handicaps and won't get a better chance to win one.
Each-way: Anvils Delight (R1,
No 3): Was going to win last Friday before she galloped. Has gate speed to use this draw.
Quinella time: Dancing Diamonds and Precious Rose in the Caduceus Club Classic. Could lead, trail.
Roughie: Flip The Coin (R3, No 15): Only small but has big kick. Can win at decent odds as second line actually suits.
