Racing: Prime Power can dash home

Prime Power. Photo / NZ Herald

Don't let Prime Power's 40m handicap put you off backing him when the trotting excitement machine returns at Alexandra Park tonight.

Because trainer-driver Todd Mitchell thinks speed shown either early or saved till later can still win him the $15,000 main trot.

Prime Power hasn't raced since his third in the Jewels on May 31, capping a slightly disappointing autumn after he had emerged from the summer looking a potential group one, open class star.

After a string of brilliant wins last summer it is easy to forget he was just a 4-year-old so he should return a more mature, well-rounded trotter this season better equipped to handle the rigours of distance racing at the highest level.

Tonight's field contains no other genuine stars, though, with the big boys of trotting in the South for Cup week so Mitchell has picked the right time to return.

But winning at Alexandra Park fresh off a 40m handicap is never easy, especially against a race-hardened, in-form rival like Miss Pegasus, who has been trotting excellent times.
So Mitchell hopes Prime Power's raw speed can help him overcome the 20m start he has to give that rival.

"She has been going great races, Miss Pegasus, but she is only getting 20m from my horse and if he begins as quickly as he can he could be alongside her pretty quickly," says Mitchell. "And even if he can't get around them he has such high speed that I think he can sit in a small field.

"It is never easy off a handicap without a race under your belt but I think he can win."

Mitchell was happy with Prime Power's workout performance at Cambridge two weeks ago and even more so his work down Raglan beach last Saturday. He is a very fast trotter and has never been unplaced fresh so looks the obvious tonight, with Miss Pegasus the only real threat.

She has been wonderfully brave in two northern starts and can trot 3:26 for the 2700m, which if she repeated tonight would make Prime Power's task an unenviable one.

But if he makes one of his lightning quick beginnings and settles close to Miss Pegasus he should have too much class.

Even with some northern talent down at Cup week tonight's meeting has good depth in the support races, with the finals of the Dunstan Feeds Sprint series for both the pacing and trotting mares.

Asuka has the draw advantage over Sweet Art in the pacing final (race four) so should win but the trot is very even, confirming once again the demand for mares-only trotting races, which are common overseas but rare in New Zealand.

The main pace should see Freespin a big improver on his comeback race last week when he was trapped back in a blisteringly fast last 800m behind Hughie Green. He meets nothing of that class tonight so deserves favouritism.

Three on Friday

Best bet: Lincolns Megastar (Alex Park, R1): Took on some very good boys last start but drawn to dominate tonight.

Easier: Freespin (Alex Park, R7): In different class to most of his opponents tonight.

Has scope: San Diego Love (Alex Park, R8): Starting to live up to her breeding and will win her way to a good mark.