Racing: No Excuse not to back him

Exactly how impressive Just An Excuse's final workout was leading into tonight's Auckland Cup depends on who you ask.

If you ask trainer Robert Mitchell it was very good.

If you ask driver Todd Mitchell it was better than that.

But one thing you can take for granted is the men behind the dual New Zealand Cup winner couldn't be happier heading into tonight's $250,000 Alexandra Park feature.

Just An Excuse has thrilled Robert Mitchell by returning home from his Victoria Cup campaign a fortnight ago looking for more racing.

That is a far cry from last season when he lost so much condition during a failed Miracle Mile bid in Sydney he almost didn't start in the Auckland Cup.

A year older, Just An Excuse is physically and mentally stronger and looks better now than he did on Victoria Cup night 13 days ago.

"I am rapt with how he has handled everything and I couldn't be happier going into this race," said Robert Mitchell.

"If anything I think he may be fitter for the Victoria Cup run.

"He worked 2400m on the beach earlier this week and paced 3:12 easily, which is about as fast as I wanted him to go, so he is right where I want him to be. It was good work."

But son Todd saw it slightly differently.

"Dad couldn't wait to ring me to tell me how good he worked so he must have been really happy," says Todd.

Somewhere between Robert's old-school conservatism and Todd's unbridled enthusiasm lies a very fit and happy racehorse.

Which means punters can back Just An Excuse with confidence they will see his best tonight.

While he will still need luck to overcome his 15m handicap he is the most natural 3200m pacer in Australasia, with his two New Zealand Cup wins ample proof.

He may not have the explosive speed Elsu possesses after a soft trip but that gap between the pair appears to have closed from last season.

"I actually think he is at his best when I can drive him cold for one run at them," said Mitchell.

"I probably won't get that chance tonight because most of the good horses will probably move before the last lap and you don't want to give them too much of a start.

"But I'd be happy to be sitting on the other good one's back turning for home because he is more brilliant than some people realise."

The difference between Just An Excuse's 15m handicap and Elsu's 10m is irrelevant, with Just An Excuse usually the better beginner.

If there is one area in which Just An Excuse is vulnerable it is the Alexandra Park track.

While that may sound ridiculous considering his record of 13 starts there for eight wins and five placings, Just An Excuse has never looked as comfortable on what is effectively his home track as he has at Addington.

Being the giant goofball he is he has been prone to hanging when asked to sprint around Alexandra Park's tighter bends and any such tendencies could be severely punished tonight.

But when that is the only worry you have heading into a $250,000 race, you don't have too much to worry about.