One miracle accomplished, another one needed.
That is how trainer Cran Dalgety views the mountain Bettor's Strike has to climb as he looks for more New Zealand Trotting Cup glory at Addington tomorrow.
Bettor's Strike nearly pulled off harness racing's shock of the decade when he all but caught Monkey King at 50-1 in last year's Cup before going on to become one of the best pacers on the Grand Circuit.
His dream season turned to a nightmare in the winter though when he fell desperately ill and nearly died.
"He was a very sick horse for a week and we nearly lost him twice," said Dalgety.
"To get him back to the races has been a miracle, especially this quickly.
"I would have given us no chance of him being in the Cup two months ago."
And Dalgety gave Bettor's Strike no chance in the race until a few days ago.
"Because he was so sick he has really struggled to come up as well as he can but then a few days ago he just turned. His attitude changed, he started jumping around like a 2-year-old and he looks and feels like a different horse."
So now he has his horse back - almost - Dalgety and wonder driver Dexter Dunn have to worry about drawing wide on the second line.
For a horse whose best form has come up against the marker pegs, it is a huge handicap.
"I would love to see him tucked away on the markers like last year but Dex is going to need to produce something special to do that.
"If it wasn't for the draw I'd say we could surprise them but from where we are I'd be happy to see him get some money."
Dalgety had the enormity of tomorrow's task hammered home to him when Bettor's Strike was distanced by Cup favourite Stunin Cullen at the Ashburton workouts last Tuesday.
"I know, they don't give the Cup away but I think he will have his name engraved on it on Tuesday night."
Dalgety has similar ideas about his own charge, Empyrean, in tomorrow's $180,000 Sires' Stakes Final.
While he, too, faces a second-line draw, Dalgety thinks that will aid Empyrean, who has rampaged through the spring.
"I could be worried that Hands Christian has got the better draw but I think there will be a lot of pressure in the race and they will start moving early. If we can be outside Hands Christian at the 800m I think we will still beat him because this horse relaxes so well now and he is very good."
Empyrean is only the $4 second favourite, even after his recent unbeaten run, with Hands Christian at $2.80.
Monkey King has been the best-backed Cup runner over the weekend, coming into equal second favouritism with Smoken Up at $4.50.
Stunin Cullen remains at $2.60, while Bettor's Strike is out to $31.
Get tomorrow's New Zealand Herald for your special eight-page Cup day liftout.
Trainer Cran Dalgety. Photo / NZ Herald
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