If the north has any chance of making a dent in the New Zealand Trotting Cup they need to win tonights Holmes DG at Alexandra Park.
Only four northerners are still in contention for the Cup at Addington on November 14 - Jacks Legend, No Doctor Needed, Maxim and Hug The Wind - and all four contest tonights $20,000 feature named in honour of late ATC president Kerry Hoggard.
They are up against two Canterbury raiders in Thefixer and Cash N Flow, who wouldnt be considered in the top six horses from the All Stars stable so if the northerners cant beat them tonight, especially with the advantage of race fitness, then it is hard to make a case for them being realistic players come New Zealand Cup day.
The Cantabs arrive north with big reputations, impressive strike rates and in Cash N Flows case a brilliant Alexandra Park record but they havent raced this season whereas rivals like No Doctor Needed and Hug The Wind are fully fit after four starts this campaign.
But for all that, Jacks Legend may be the norths best chance tonight and the horse to beat. He already has group one winning form in last seasons Jewels and only peaked late when third fresh up two weeks ago.