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The return of Terror To Love to racing tonight has plenty of people excited - bookies included.
Co-trainer Paul Court has a word of warning for followers of the three-time New Zealand Cup winner when he resumes in the Avon City Ford Cup at Addington tonight.
The 7-year-old was excellent coming from last to run second in a trial at Ashburton this month and is following a familiar path to the second Tuesday in November which has proved successful in recent years.
Court, who trains with his father Graham at West Melton, said the second to Smolda at the trials had given the Terror To Love camp plenty of confidence, but the entire would improve out of tonight's race.
"It was a good run at the trials - he really got home in that last wee bit. It was probably an ideal run for him, really. We always try and let his races tighten him up leading up to Cup Week and not having him peak too early.
"These lead-up races are stepping stones really. I'm not saying we can't win or anything like that, but we're treating it as stepping stones."
While tonight might not be his grand final, he is certainly capable of winning. The TAB bookmakers have agreed, installing the Cup champion as a $1.70 favourite when the market opened on Wednesday afternoon.
Smolda opened up at $2.80 and gained respect from Court for the manner of his trial win, courtesy of a brisk 26.3-second last 400m following a steady trial.
"He trialled good the other day - he's a good horse." Smolda went on to win a workout on Saturday, while Terror To Love has continued his usual routine of hobbled work one day and jogging the next.
Understandably, the Courts are taking a tried-and-true approach to Terror To Love's race schedule leading up to November 11.
"He just has the two at Addington and the Flying Stakes and then he'll take in the Cup trial and that'll be it."
"If it ain't broke, why fix it?
"We're pretty happy with where he's at. He looks a million bucks and his work's been good, so he's on the right track."
Cran Dalgety sends his second-stringer Bit Of A Legend out to take on the big boys for the first time to night and isn't expecting miracles.
"He's got to lift a bit to compete with the top ones, but I thought you can only do that by going to the races," Dalgety said.
The 5-year-old should enjoy a cosy run from his No2 draw provided he steps safely, and Dalgety thinks that will give him the best chance of running on.
"I'd like to think he'll get a good trip but he's probably not a winning chance this week.
"This is his first time in with the big fish so I'm experimenting more than being confident of how he's going to go."
"He won't make a fool of me, but he's just got to lift a bit more yet."
Dalgety said Christen Me, who is guaranteed a Cup start after winning the Maurice Holmes Vase on September 5 and bypasses tonight's race, is in top condition.
"He's going to trial next week and then we'll go to the Canterbury Classic [on October 10]. I'm very pleased with him - he's going super."
Friday night specials
Best bet: Meticulous (Addington, R10, No 12). Handled his first standing start with aplomb at Oamaru. Has the stamina to overcome his 10m handicap.
Each-way: Zachary Binx (Addington, R3, No 2) First look at a mobile start, but the rolling start might assist him. Plenty of speed just waiting to be harnessed.
Outside the square: Styx Monkey (Addington, R1, No 5): Brings tidy trial and workout form to his debut run. Well related, and the likely favourite Cody Singer isn't foolproof either.