Cog Hill was the centre of attention at Te Rapa last Saturday and he will be again at Ruakaka tomorrow.
The difference will be you can bet on him this time.
The highly talented chestnut produced a sparkling solo exhibition gallop between races looking in wonderful shape forwhat should be a big spring campaign.
Cog Hill has not raced since a big first-up win at Ellerslie on June 2, a run which followed a seven-month break from racing.
He faces a big task with 61.5kg - up 4kg from his Ellerslie weight - in a race that does not include apprentice allowances.
Last week Cog Hill looked big and strong and he will have pulled plenty of improvement from the gallop on what was fairly tough conditions.
This race is a stepping stone to the Foxbridge Plate and although he won't be screwed right up for this his class will take him close.
There is plenty of similar class beneath him in the $25,000 open handicap.
Former Hong Kong galloper Who Knows created a big impression winning on this track last start and receives 6.5kg from Cog Hill.
The 1300m distance is a touch short for Aftershock, but he has plenty of ability and Aimee's Idol, fresh from a spell, looms as a danger.
This is the second day of a two-day meeting, which kicks off with an eight-race programme today.
Two key players to watch come from Stephen McKee's stable - Sunline's daughter Sunstrike is an acceptor for both days, but has drawn a better barrier tomorrow, and Pierre Joseph, who runs in race three today.
Sunstrike met a disastrously wet track on debut and will be much better on the Ruakaka surface.
Pierre Joseph created a big impression in only four starts racing against the best juveniles last season and always looked as though he would be better at three. He will eventually need a fair bit further than today's 1200m, but should sprint well fresh in his first start since March.
