The fact he is actually starting tomorrow confirms he is over those but the combination of being off a 20m handicap and his lack of recent racing means driver Dunn will have to revert to his former patient tactics on the speedster.
"He has now only had one race since Cup Week so I will have to drive him different," says Dunn.
"He can still win because Dad [trainer, Robert] says he is over the problems he has had but he won't be 100 per cent screwed down, obviously.
"He is very good coming from behind, too, and the way this race is going to pan out he is probably going to have to do that.
"So it might be a tricky race."
Bookies agree, opening Franco Nelson the $4 second favourite behind Ohoka Punter, who is the $3 top elect from his 10m handicap.
Ohoka Punter has raced only sparingly at Alexandra Park in the past two years but won the greatest race at the venue in all of last year when he downed Adore Me and Franco Nelson in a Woodlands Derby for the ages.
The Franklin Cup also sees gun driver Zac Butcher jump off his old mate Pembrook Benny, another returning from a slight setback and facing a handicap, to partner classy mare Lancewood Lizzie.
Butcher isn't the only one making an unexpected change tomorrow as champion driver Dexter Dunn won't be behind his Breeders Crown winner Katy Perry in the $150,000 Sires' Stakes Championship, preferring to partner stablemate Delightful Lana after she drew better.
Bookies stuck true to their word in opening the market for that race by offering $2.60 for superstar The Orange Agent even after she has racked up a series of stunning wins.
While she has a second-line draw and meets some outstanding group one winning rivals, it would be a surprise if that price is matched on the tote today.
That same could apply to star trotter Stent in the $80,000 National Trot, where he has opened $2.50 even after completely dominating the major northern trots this month.
He would have been odds on from a front-line draw but from one on the second line he is backable, with Sheemon rated his biggest danger at $4.60.
Dunn believes he can upset in that race partnering Kincaslough, who has opened a $13 hope.
Placed in the Dominion last month she was brave in two subsequent Alex Park runs before galloping at Cambridge last week.
"She got tripped up by the same bend she did at the Jewels but back at Alexandra Park over 2700m I think she has a great chance."
Tomorrow's richest race, the $200,000 Sales Series Pace, sees Have Faith In Me retain favouritism but only just after early money yesterday for Express Stride.
Hug The Wind, the long-term futures favourite for the race, is now on only the third line of betting with Mighty Flying Major at $6.
Premier day action
•NZ Cup runner Franco Nelson is back on track at Alexandra Park tomorrow after an interrupted month.
•The Orange Agent and Stent have both opened longer than expected with the TAB for their group ones. They face second-line draws.
•Express Stride was backed early to win tomorrow's $200,000 Sales Series Pace.
