KEY POINTS:
After 27 months, fans of one-time boom pacer Bobs Blue Boy may have something to smile about at Cromwell in Central Otago today.
The veteran pacer hasn't won a race in New Zealand since the 2005 Methven Cup, which saw him start one of the favourites for that
season's New Zealand Cup, in which he was fourth to Mainland Banner.
Since then his form has spanned the range from fighting displays of stamina at the elite level to embarrassingly poor efforts in mediocre races.
But a recent change of stable seems to have worked for the 8-year-old.
Bobs Blue Boy joined the Robbie Holmes' stable at Amberley, North Canterbury, two months ago and has shown the benefits of his beach training programme with two brave performances since.
He was third in the Ashburton Cup on December 26 before a similar placing behind Classic Cullen in the Central Otago Cup at Omakau last week.
Today, he looks ideally suited by the $15,000 feature at the Wyndham Harness Racing Club's meeting which will be held on the Cromwell grass track.
Bobs Blue Boy has always excelled on grass tracks, winning five of his 11 attempts on the surface, and his chances in the 2600m event have been aided by nine scratchings, which will help negate the 30m backmark handicap he shares with fellow open class pacer Roman Gladiator, who looks the biggest danger.
"I couldn't be happier with where he is at," Holmes said.
"He has really taken to the beach training and is keen in his work and his races.
"We are racing him without much gear and he is travelling nicely in his races so I think this is his chance.
"The big grass track will suit him and along with Roman Gladiator he is the one to beat."
The special conditions of the race mean the backmarkers are giving only 30m to some rivals who have won only two or three races and in a small field that should be enough to see them dominate.
Roman Gladiator is a high class pacer with more speed than Bobs Blue Boy so if he can track him into a forward position he may be able to out-sprint him, although he will be having his first start on grass tomorrow.
First Royal, who beat them both home, albeit after enjoying a perfect trail, at Omakau last week appeals as the other main winning hope.
Tomorrow's meeting also sees open class trotter Moment Of Truth make a surprise appearance off a 40m handicap in race six. After a huge last-start victory it is hard to see him beaten.
The best bet for the day could be Moment Of Truth, the drive of Nathan Williamson, in race six, the trotters' handicap.
- NZPA