Racing: Mister forgotten could fire if hoodoo beaten

It has taken only a few weeks for Mister D G to become the forgotten horse of New Zealand pacing.

And trainer Tim Butt couldn't be happier about it.

The ironhorse is rated an $8 chance by bookies in tomorrow night's $250,000 Auckland Trotting Cup but is likely to start even longer on the tote.

Which is remarkable, considering he started second favourite in the New Zealand Cup last month.

Since then Mister D G has done nothing wrong: He was a gutsy fourth in the New Zealand Cup, second by a nose to Just An Excuse in the Free-For-All, had to sit parked for fourth in the Miracle Mile and was pushed all over the Bankstown track when third in the Treuer Memorial.

Yet he now finds himself out of many people's top three winning hopes tomorrow night.

But that is a situation Butt says he has seen unfold before.

Mister D G was abandoned by punters in the Hunter Cup in February because they thought he wouldn't handle the standing start. Not only did he make a great beginning but won the biggest race of his career at 18-1.

"It is a similar situation this week," said Butt.

"I think we are going to sneak into the race under everybody's radar a bit.

"But I am sure he can win the race, all he needs is a little luck.

"The key to the race is the start. If he can step away with Elsu and Just An Excuse he will be right with them at the end. But if we settle three lengths last the race is over for us."

One reason Mister D G has been ignored in much of the pre-race build-up is because he hasn't raced since the Treuer on December 4.

Butt gave him an easy time upon returning to New Zealand because the seven-year-old was exhausted after a rugged two months on the road.

The tactic worked.

"I have taken him into Alexandra Park for his last couple of fast workouts and he has worked super so I am not concerned about his fitness at all."

While Mister D G may be ready for a hard 3200m a bigger question is whether he is finally ready to break the Alexandra Park hoodoo which has dogged his family.

His dam, Blossom Lady, was one of the greatest mares produced in New Zealand but was never happy at Alexandra Park, and Mister D G has fared about the same.

He has had six starts on the track for just one placing.

"That is a bit of a concern because he hasn't felt 100 per cent happy this way around," admits Butt.

"He isn't bad right-handed but at this level even the smallest things can make a big difference.

"But we won't be using that as an excuse."

While Mister D G, Elsu and Just An Excuse face tricky handicaps tomorrow night, Butt says they should still fight out the finish.

"I think the 3200m brings the best horses to the top," he said.

"While there are plenty of good horses in the race, the best horses tend to win the cups.

"And I think it will be the same again this week.

"I think Elsu is the one to beat, just ahead of Just An Excuse."

While Mister D G has many obstacles to overcome, his glamour stablemate Lyell Creek could not be better placed in the $50,000 National Trot.

The champion has drawn barrier two and would be expected to lead if driver Anthony Butt chooses to.

"He is well and the way the draws have worked out we are very confident," said Butt.

They are not the only ones. Lyell Creek was being backed into $1.65 favouritism last night, with Allegro Agitato, favourite in the New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All at Addington last month, drifting out to $10.

Butt rates his other best winning chance of the night as Ross's Mate in race six.

"I think he can win, although it is a very good field for this grade," said Butt.

"He will be better for his last run here and I think he will be hard to beat."