By MIKE DILLON
One thing went disasterously wrong for Snooky Cowan for tomorrow's $500,000 Mercedes Super Bonus Classique and one thing went perfectly.
Cowan did a backward flip when his smart South Island juvenile Coup Ray drew No17 of 17.
But he balanced that slightly with the knowledge that he has the country's best back-running jockey in Noel Harris.
If there is one certainty it is that the only option for Harris is to ease back from the outside gate and ride for luck in the final 400m.
"He's the right man for the job," said Cowan at the Karaka sales complex yesterday.
To go forward and try for the lead would be suicidal for Coup Ray. The chances of being caught wide outside the leaders would be better than even money.
When he won the Trentham prelude to this race last start Coup Ray settled well back and stormed home wide to win nicely.
Cowan is confident Coup Ray will arrive at Te Rapa in great shape for his toughest test yet.
The best chance for Coup Ray will be an electric pace, which will suit horses storming home late.
Cowan knows Coup Ray has the stamina for that. He is a half brother to classy 3-year-old filly Singalong, who finished second in the New Zealand Oaks two weeks ago.
"It looks like this bloke will stay a bit too and he will stay in work after this race and be set for the Sires Produce Stakes."
Racing: Coup Ray facing tough test
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