Racing: Atom Cat set to claw back at Pukekohe

Yanna Marie (far left, green cap) is one of the hardened crew slugging it out for the $100k Winter Cup at Riccarton today. Photo / APN

Drop-back horses are to punters what the fridge door is to the starving.

Paradise.

No horse in New Zealand today is dropping back as much as Atom Cat in Race 4 at Pukekohe.

From the Opunake Cup last start to the opposition Atom Cat meets in the 1600m open handicap this afternoon is several grades of talent down.

Atom Cat, trying to win four straight, was not disgraced in the Opunake Cup after drawing No 14 of the 15 starters. He finished only a bit more than three lengths from the winner Eric The Viking after having to drop back early.

His previous good form had been on tracks closer to the one he'll strike today and although Alvin Ng will be unable to claim his usual allowance, Atom Cat looks well enough placed.

That said, the 3kg John Gray will receive from him makes him a major threat. He loves the heavy stuff and it's a given conditions will suit him perfectly.

Sonny Liston (No6, R2) is seven and has just won his maiden race, but he's had only a few starts. His latest run at Ruakaka should have been a winning one. He was squeezed out the back at the start and had to come from a tailed off position to be beaten only two lengths. That was in R80 class and he drops back to R70 for today's contest. He can handle the worst of winter tracks and he's going to get that today.

Those conditions are similarly going to suit Twelve Monkeys (No5, R3). He was beaten favourite when only sixth at New Plymouth, but the footing there dried throughout the day and by the last race was not a typical wet track. This one will be and Twelve Monkeys already has two wins on the Pukekohe circuit. Matost (No6) is better than his form reads on paper and could be the value runner for trifecta bettors.

Albaladejo (No1, R5) showed little fight when beaten favourite at Ruakaka last start, but that's not the first time he's done that then come out and proved the form wrong at his next start. He wouldn't be good to play cards with. Significantly he's dropping back to R70 for this race and the 3kg Harry Kasim will take off his 59kg will be critical in the conditions. No excuse if he flops today. Look to Tackytu (No4) to be a threat.

Race 6 is a poor betting affair. Perhaps the best value could be Chato Margaux (No11). She doesn't win out of turn, but in a field where many of them can't win, she has at least some appeal.

Race 7 sets up nicely for The Jungle Boy (No6). He just loves the loose wet stuff and wasn't suited by the footing when beaten out of the money at New Plymouth last start. Rider David Walsh declared Aruriteson (No8) was unhappy in that New Plymouth ground and he is the value horse. Just Once (No1) has been in good form.

Race 8 is almost a no-bet affair, but if you're tempted, don't be put off by the extremely wide barrier of Arnold (No1). It's that far away you almost can't see the first bend from the 1600m start at Pukekohe and Arnold will have plenty of time to get over to his favourite position in front. Although still a fair way off them, Oberon (No4) was getting home quite well at Tauranga last start and should be suited by this big, wide track. D'Nood Lady (No12) is another who is probably not going to be affected by a wide gate.

Butcher's Daughter (No12, R9) could cap off a big day for trainer Shaun Clotworthy in the last. Things didn't go right at Te Rapa last start and she looks better placed here on the track she left maidens on two starts ago by a wide margin. You can make a case for a few of these to get into the money and Ted'll Do (No3) has been running on, which will be very important all day today.

The $100,000 Winter Cup at Riccarton is, as always, a very tough affair. Eel Win (No2, R9), Yanna Marie (No3) and Taking The Mickey (No4) are the tough ones who have slugged it out at this level for a long time, which is probably going to be a critical factor. If Eel Win comes up at anything like the $21 the TAB has had him at he's worth an each-way look.

It'll be an old dog for a hard road scenario at Riccarton today and Yourhavinmeon (No8, R6) fits that category. He had a hurdle race at Wanganui last week and the fitness that will have taken him to will be important when they come down to the last 200m of this 1800m.