KEY POINTS:
Report For Duty breathed some life into what had looked a terminally ill South Island defence of the New Zealand Trotting Cup in Kaikoura yesterday.
The Canterbury pacer returned to something like his best form to lead almost throughout in the $50,000 Kaikoura Cup, downing a desperately unlucky
Nearea Franco and Waipawa Lad.
It was the first time this season a southern pacer has been able to inflict any sort of defeat on the elite northerners, who have such a stranglehold on favouritism for the $1.2 million New Zealand Cup at Addington next Tuesday.
While the three cup favourites - Changeover, Monkey King and Baileys Dream - were not there yesterday, Report For Duty still beat home Gotta Go Cullen and Awesome Armbro.
The former lost his chance when galloping at the start but Awesome Armbro was very poor, finishing last and he will need a miracle to turn that form around in the space of a week.
While trainer Tim Butt was realistic about Report For Duty's cup chances after the win, he knows he has a far better chance than he did a few weeks ago when he finished last in a moderate Addington race.
"He had a lung infection that night but he has really picked up in the last 10 days," said Butt.
"I think he has a small chance next week. He is a good stayer and has the manners to put himself in the race.
"Whether he has the absolute class to win a New Zealand Cup I am not sure. But we have a better chance now than we did a few weeks ago."
Butt said yesterday's win was especially satisfying considering last month's shock failure but last week's Ashburton Flying Stakes was still a more significant New Zealand Cup trial than what unfolded at Kaikoura.
"Last week at Ashburton we couldn't get near Baileys Dream, Changeover and Monkey King and that is why they deserve to be the ones to beat next week."
That is how TAB bookmakers read the cup as well, with Changeover out to $3, but still a clear favourite over Monkey King, who has moved into $4.50, with Baileys Dream at $7.
He shares that mark with Gotta Go Cullen, who ran an enormous race yesterday after his early gallop but left trainer-driver Tony Herlihy perplexed.
On one hand he knows he has a very healthy and fit horse heading into the cup next week, but he also knows Gotta Go Cullen is maybe 50:50 at best to begin safely.
"I would really like him to draw barrier five or wider where he can get some room and hopefully won't have to stand for too long," said Herlihy.
The biggest shock yesterday came with trotting sensation Stig, who was beaten as a hot favourite in the main trot after settling well back and never looking comfortable on the flat track.