KEY POINTS:
Steven Reid wants Monkey King to step away safely at Addington tonight for a multitude of reasons.
The most obvious is so he can win the $14,000 main pace.
The most important is so he can go into the New Zealand Trotting Cup with confidence.
And the most
pertinent for punters is that Reid thinks he is giving up three possible winning drives at Alexandra Park tonight to pilot his stable star at Addington instead.
That gives you an idea just how well Reid's stable is racing and how his turquoise colours are the ones to follow at both tracks tonight.
Reid has trained a staggering 17 winners from just 38 starters this season, not far off a 50 per cent wins to starters average.
Only rarely has a major stable even approached that level three months into the season and the most impressive part is his wins have been in good races on the best tracks.
But he would trade all that success for victory in the $750,000 New Zealand Cup on November 13, for which his two stable stars have their final lead-up tonight.
Reid will partner Monkey King while Ricky May will drive Baileys Dream in the $14,000 main pace in which they face 20m handicaps, which are effectively only 10m after the sole front-marker was scratched.
While Baileys Dream has been the best pacer in the South Island this season Reid knows Monkey King is better. He just needs to step away tonight to prove it.
"It comes down to this. Monkey is faster and the better horse but Bailey is more likely to get the start right," said Reid.
"I think either of them can win this week but if Monkey steps he will beat Bailey."
The small field, meaning less hesitation at the start, increases Monkey King's chances of a safe getaway and he is worth taking the chance on.
But any punters thinking of having a serious bet on him would be wise to cover on Baileys Dream, with perhaps small cover on Tribute and Power Of Tara as well.
While Reid will have a few worrying times at Addington tonight, stable foreman Tom Cowan is the beneficiary from the boss's absence from Alexandra Park.
Cowan has picked up the drive on three huge winning chances - Montecito, Ohoka Moon and Franco Tetris.
Montecito made a great fist of his first standing start to down Power Of Tara last start and doesn't go up in grade.
He should win race eight while Franco Tetris looks a class above his rivals in race five.
Ohoka Moon meets two in-form, talented opponents in Cullen's Legacy and Costalot in race seven, where tactics will be a key factor.
But Reid says while Cowan doesn't drive that often he is up to the task tonight.
"Tommy used to be a top junior driver and now he is back into it he is enjoying it," said Reid.
"I've got full confidence in him and I wouldn't be surprised to see him drive two or three winners on Friday."
* New Zealand Cup favourite Changeover has been allowed to miss tonight's Addington feature in favour of the Cup trial next Tuesday.
"I thought he didn't need the race and the trial should sharpen him up enough," said trainer Geoff Small.
Changeover's has moved around from $2.80 to $3.40 in New Zealand Cup fixed odds betting this week. He will clash with Sly Flyin and Foreal in the Cup trial.
Dream run
* Steven Reid is training a winner almost every second start this season.
* He has the two favourites in the main race at Addington tonight and some top chances at Alexandra Park.
* Reid will drive Monkey King at Addington, hoping to get him stepping safely from a stand.
* Northern stable foreman Tom Cowan will partner the Alexandra Park runners.