Racing: Mangos has concerns

Just how tough Alexandra Park racing has become is summed up by Brent Mangos' attitude to the return of exciting trotter Pasi tonight.

Mangos expects the speedster to end up in open class and was thrilled with a recent trial, but he is still wary heading into tonight's $12,000 comeback race.

With the Auckland track now having clearly the highest regular stakes in the country, even when its tenant clubs are racing, field sizes and strength have improved dramatically in the past year.

While that is great for the northern harness racing industry, it does make finding winners a little harder for punters, especially when favoured runners are fresh up.

"It is hard for any horse to win there fresh-up these days because the standard is so high," said Mangos.

"A horse like Pasi will end up in open class and he could win on Friday but it is hard to get too confident with them fresh at The Park these days."

Pasi impressed at the workouts two weeks ago when he trotted 3:33 for 2700m and is unlikely to need to go much quicker tonight.

"Not having a horse like Raydon there makes this a good comeback race for him but he is also better driven sit-sprint so I won't be taking off around them.

"So he can win but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't because he is still a long way off his peak."

Making life a little bit easier for Pasi tonight is the fact free-goer Muscles Kiwi has been scratched, leaving wonderful old stayer Genius off the 30m mark as the main danger.

Earlier in the night Percy The Punter, who showed just how hard it is to win at The Park fresh up last start, could go one better in the main pace.

He was understandably driven cold by Maurice McKendry last start, not wanting to gut him in his comeback race, but flew home late for second.

He meets a slightly weaker field tonight and from barrier one could end up trailing a key rival like Jonny English or He's My Hero.

Good enough to compete with credit against the best 3-year-olds last season, Percy The Punter only needs the right run to win and push his claims for next month's Franklin Cup.

Tonight's race also features the return of Trigirl Brigade, who was one of the big movers in the mares' ranks last season.

After starting the term in class one she improved enough to run second to Kiwi Ingenuity in our fastest-ever race mile at the Harness Jewels.

Much like Pasi, she faces a tough test fresh-up tonight but if there is plenty of pressure early she could still swoop into the finish.

TOUGH COMEBACKS

* Horses returning from spells are finding it harder to win at Alexandra Park because of stronger fields.
* Pasi and Trigirl Brigade face that challenge tonight.
* Pasi is rated a future open class trotter by trainer Brent Mangos.
* Percy The Punter is the one to beat in the main pace.