Racing: Elsu looking dangerous

By MICHAEL GUERIN

The only pacer in New Zealand Elsu has to fear is himself.

That is trainer Geoff Small's assessment of the pacer's return to racing at Alexandra Park tonight.

Last season's triple Derby winner is the best pacer in tonight's main race, his first step towards a possible New Zealand Cup start in November.

That would mean taking on harness racing's new buzz horses Just An Excuse and Jack Cade, as well as the established heroes headed by Young Rufus.

But Small says he is not scared of the big name pacers.

"If he comes right back to his best he is as good as any of them," says Small.

"The form he was in when he won his Derbys last season is right up with what I saw from most of the open-class horses.

"I think he had the speed to run with them and the stamina to handle the big races.

"But that is providing he can come back to his best. He has yet to prove that this season."

And even though Elsu has been winning at the workouts, Small says tonight's intermediate grade pace will be a huge test for last season's three-year-old of the year because he can beat himself.

"He looks great, but maybe too great," said Small.

"He looks a little soft, maybe a bit pretty, so that would be my concern this week."

Small says whether Elsu has improved significantly since beating race-rival Bella's Boy at the Alexandra Park workouts last Saturday will determine his winning chances tonight.

"Obviously I think he can win because I know how good he is. After all, we are setting him for the New Zealand Cup.

"But this is a tricky little race because a horse like Rhonite Rock could set up a hot pace if he steps.

"So I just hope he [Elsu] has come on since last Saturday."

On that occasion Elsu was too good for Bella's Boy and Napoleon in their workout, cutting out his last 400m in 27.4 seconds.

While there can be little doubt Elsu is the best of his age in New Zealand, he faces two disadvantages tonight - lack of standing start experience and the suspension of his regular driver, David Butcher.

"He can still be a bit funny from a standing start because the tape gives him a fright but I know in time he will be a good standing start horse because he is sensible.

"And it is a shame not to have David driving him but I am looking forward to having a go."

Small has driven Elsu to win a race before but usually puts the best reinsmen on his stable's winning chances. He has, however, driven 72 winners in New Zealand and knows Elsu well enough to do him justice tonight.

For all that Small does face a common problem among horsemen driving hotshot harness horses in their comeback races.

The drivers obviously want to win but with races like the New Zealand Cup looming they do not want to thrash their stars fresh-up because it may flatten them for the rest of their campaign.

"That is a concern this week so I'll be hoping we can get a good cart into the race and use his speed," said Small. "Ideally with a horse this good fresh-up you don't want to be off and attacking mid-race and that is not my plan, unless of course I have a brain snap and can't help myself."

One driver not known for "brain snaps", as Small so eloquently puts it, is Tony Herlihy, who will be behind Elsu's main rival tonight, Bella's Boy.

Last season's Victoria Derby winner has the advantage of having raced through the second half of winter, suggesting he will have more residual fitness on his side tonight.

But that didn't help him at the workouts last Saturday.

"I was impressed with Elsu last Saturday so he will take a power of beating this week," said Herlihy.

"But in saying that both horses sprinted the last 400m well and Robbie [Bella's Boy] is good from a standing start so he will be in the finish."

Bella's Boy is using tonight's race as a final lead-up to the $35,000 Superstars Championship at Addington next Friday.

The chances in tonight's feature do not end there with Rhonite Rock and Bridget's Fella in outstanding form, while Where Eagles Dare will be better for his run in the Spring Cup last week.