Racing: Small matter of revenge

Last year Geoff Small missed the one horse he really wanted at the yearling sales.

Tomorrow he will be out for revenge.

New Zealand's premier trainer of young pacing talent has three outstanding horses lining up on three tracks in different islands in the next four days, starting at Alexandra Park tonight and finishing with Awesome Armbro in Victoria on Monday.

But his most important goal for the weekend is the $200,000 PGG Wrightson Sales Pace at Addington when the premier southern track hosts a rare day meeting.

Small has possible favourite Changeover drawn perfectly at barrier three in New Zealand's richest age-group race, right alongside the one that got away, Mombassa.

Mombassa is the much-hyped half-brother to Small's champion pacer Elsu and the South Auckland trainer went to the Karaka sales last year determined to buy him with his partners.

But after bidding up to $150,000 they lost out to Cran Dalgety, in whose colours Mombassa will race tomorrow.

"I made no secret of the fact I wanted him and I was really disappointed to miss him," said Small.

"But in racing you can't afford to spend too much time looking back, you have to look forward, and as it turned out the sales worked out well for us."

Not only did Small purchase Changeover for the ATC Trot syndicate the same day Mombassa was sold but missing the sales topper left him and wife Aria with the money to purchase a share in Reality Check, who has already won more than $100,000 in just six starts.

Reality Check won the fillies section of the sales series last Friday and Small rates Changeover an even better chance tomorrow than his stablemate was last week.

"Things have really fallen together well for him [Changeover]," said Small.

"I always thought he had the ability but as a big horse it was going to take him a while to find some real speed.

"He still isn't lightning quick but he has really picked up in the last month."

Changeover beat some of the south's best juveniles last start but really impressed Small with a sizzling trial at Rangiora last Saturday when he charged home behind exciting Fergiemack.

"That was his best run so far and if he goes that big this week he will be hard to beat."

While Changeover has gone ahead in giant strides in the last month Mombassa's star has dulled slightly after a series of defeats.

While nobody doubts his speed he may not have the brute strength to use it, which has often been a trait of his family.

He has also started to over-race, a worrying sign if he has to burn to try and hold the lead tomorrow.

"I think he is a very good horse in the making but it has never really been a red-hot early family," said Small of Mombassa.

"He and Changeover are very different horses and while I don't think there will be much between them this week I think we can beat him."

While the draws suggest the pair are the two obvious favourites there is also plenty to like about the consistent development of Christian Warrior this season, and Jackson Street and Cast Adrift have quick times to their credit but poor draws.

Although Changeover will be Small's flagbearer this weekend he rates his best winning chance as Reality Check at Alexandra Park tonight.

The big filly has bullied her way to wins over such superstars as Top Tempo in the last month and should continue on her winning way in race six tonight.

She has shown enough gate speed, and has a big enough reputation now, to work to the lead from barrier three and even though the field hosts some newcomers to Alexandra Park it is hard to see them coming from behind Reality Check to beat her.

"My only concern is that this is her third race in as many Fridays but we have to start to assure ourselves of a start in the Sires Stakes final on May 26," said Small.

"But I suppose she probably should win because she didn't take any harm from last week's win."

She will not want to be even a length below her best though as she does meet One Dream, who beat her two starts ago, and former southern filly Presidential Reign.

One Dream has a huge reputation and was impressive when coming from a second line draw last start and has the advantage of a new driver in Frank Cooney tonight.

Presidential Reign has looked a class stayer in her two southern races and is now with Barry Purdon.

As for Awesome Armbro, Small reports he has travelled well and is ready for his Australian debut in a heat of the Vicbred series on Monday.

Regular driver David Butcher will be making the trip across to drive him.