KEY POINTS:
Tonight could be the last time punters get to support one of their unsung heroes of the season for a while.
That's because anything but a win at Alexandra Park is likely to result in the spelling paddock for Washakie.
The 3-year-old is hardly one of the glamour horses of harness racing, still assessed as only a three-win pacer.
But he has given plenty back to those who have supported him all season, winning eight races with six placings in 22 starts.
That sort of record seemed unlikely pre-Christmas when Washakie looked little more than speedy weakling but he has just kept improving since, even registering a 12-length win at Alexandra Park in April.
That improvement curve reached its highest point when he finished fourth to Changeover in the Harness Jewels last month, a performance which suggests even a second line draw in race 10 tonight holds few fears.
Trainer Steven Reid says tonight's performance will dictate whether Washakie's fine season comes to an end.
"His next win is penalty-bearing so if he won this then we might keep going to get his next penalty-free win," explains Reid.
"But if he was to get beaten this week then we might call it a season because he has done a great job."
Washakie cost punters plenty when beaten last start but that was after working hard early in a better field.
If the pace is on tonight Reid may be able to return to Washakie's former sit-and-sprint tactics rather than having to use him in the middle stages.
"He has worked well this week so he will be my best chance this week."
Reid, who is New Zealand's leading strike rate trainer this season, only has three horses racing - and all are entered tonight.
The newcomer to the stable is Cruzin Foralivin, who meets some handy fillies in race three.
Reid expected her to be too good for her rivals until he worked the former South Island right-handed this week.
"When she was trialled for us she was apparently perfect right-handed and I hadn't done too much work with her that way.
"So I got a shock when I worked her that way this week and she actually jumped out of her gear on a bend.
"I have worked her again since with a Murphy blind on and she was a lot better but my confidence levels have taken a knock."
Reid says if the 3-year-old does things right she should still be too good.
"I think she is a pretty smart filly."
Locked And Loaded will be Reid's final representative tonight and he will need to improve on an ordinary performance last start.
"I was disappointed by him then. This week he has a wider draw. I might have to look at going back at the start and driving him quiet. Maybe that will suit him better."
While Reid's stable is going through the usual winter slowdown his stable stars Monkey King and Montecito will start back in work on Monday.
They will both be jogged up by Brendon Hill, who runs the southern side of Cavalla Bloodstock's operation.
Already in work with Hill and getting close to racing trim is Baileys Dream, somewhat of a forgotten horse in the open class ranks.
The former Easter Cup winner missed the second half of the season through injury but is working 3200m in a sound 4:35 and could race in August.
"He won't need much screwing down and will definitely be ready for the early season races."
With Reid now doing most of his own stable driving and committed to Monkey King, the seat behind Baileys Dream could be vacant come New Zealand Cup time.
Both Ricky May and Todd Mitchell have driven Baileys Dream with success before but they are also the regular partners for Mainland Banner (May) and Mi Muchacho (Mitchell).
"We don't have to worry about that now because a lot can change before all those horses clash," said Reid.
