KEY POINTS:
Tomorrow is D-day for Monkey King.
New Zealand's fastest pacer goes into the $60,000 New Zealand Herald Free-For-All at Alexandra Park needing to win to remain a serious force at the highest levels.
Because for the Monkey, the time for excuses is running out.
The enormously talented pacer
has been gifted a rare group two race without Auckland Reactor or Changeover standing in his way. And if he is to be rated a major player in next week's $600,000 Auckland Cup, he needs to make the most of it.
He has been regarded as one of our absolute star pacers for the past two years and for much of that time his place among the elite was well deserved. But the problem is this: since the Harness Jewels as a late 4 -year-old, Monkey King hasn't won a truly great race.
He has won an Easter Cup - and won it like a freak - as well as a couple of free-for-alls and the Kumeu Founders Cup.
And he was a wonderful second in Flashing Red's second New Zealand Cup then cost himself last year's Auckland Cup.
But the bottom line is you don't get to be a champion winning Easter Cups and free-for-alls. You need serious silverware.
Sure, Monkey King has had plenty of excuses for his defeats in the best races.
But excuses, as punters will tell you, don't pay the bills. So tomorrow night the wonderful little pacer finds himself at the crossroads.
Either he beats Awesome Armbro and the outsiders in the free-for-all or he risks being rated on the third peg of open class horses and a distance way behind Auckland Reactor and Changeover.
While trainer Steven Reid is understandably loyal to his stable star, he admits this is a race he should win. "To be honest he should be able to sit parked and win.
"He has had a lot of bad luck but I can see how some people might think he should win more. He gets his chance this week."
The problem for Monkey King is that so many major races are won on reputation, whom you can bully into handing you the lead or getting out of your way.
And unless Monkey wins tomorrow night he just isn't scary any more.
But a victory will boost confidence and ensure other drivers are looking over their shoulders for him in next Friday's Cup.
Reid says the 6 -year-olds work suggests he will return to the winner's circle for just the second time in 10 months.
"He worked great this week and I think he should win it," said Reid, who could also have Tennis Ball in the event.
Bookies agree the race is Monkey King's to lose as he was $1.70 in fixed odds last night, against the $2.80 for Awesome Armbro.
While that won't surprise punters, One Over Kenny being favourite over Stig in the market for the main trot will. It is rare Stig doesn't start a dominant favourite, although their roles could be reversed on the tote.
NZ HERALD F-F-A
* Monkey King is a hot favourite for the $60,000 free-for-all at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.
* He needs to win to keep pace with key rivals Auckland Reactor and Changeover.
* The trio will clash in next week's $600,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup.