Al Raza might be a novice at standing starts, but Geoff Knight has no fears about her manners as she takes her place in the Roxburgh Cup at Roxburgh tomorrow.
Knight, who trains from the Roxburgh track with wife Jude, said the mare's mannerisms and general demeanour suggested to himthat her first start behind the tapes should be the least of punters' worries in the 2700m feature.
"She's had plenty of practice at home, and she's well mannered and sensible so I don't see it being an issue," he said.
"She began from the tape this morning really fast so she'll be fine."
What Knight is more concerned about is the way the race is run, although history suggests that should not be a problem.
"The tempo of the race is going to be what goes against us or goes for us. If there's pace on and she can have cover, she can finish off pretty well.
"It's always been a cup where they have gone hard then come home in 60 seconds - that's the way it pans out at Roxburgh, really."
Al Raza starts from the inside of the 10m line alongside four others, but pace from the front line could come from Provocative Prince, while Phoenix Warrior - also off 10m - will work into the race if his standing start manners are on show tomorrow.
Al Raza has really found her feet after three slightly sub-par runs early in the season, although Knight said there was a feeling-out period between the trainers and the 4-year-old.
"We had never turned her out and brought her back before because we bought her as a running horse so we didn't know how long it would take her to come up. To be fair, it took a bit longer than we thought and she's hit form at the right time of the year."
Knight picked out Flyin Sue (race 5) and Onedin Onyx (race 3) as his two best other chances on one of his favourite days of the year.
"Flying Sue trialled really nicely at Cromwell on the grass the other day - she's a big hope in her field.
"And Onedin Onyx - I know he's looked a little disappointing but we've just had trouble with him handling the heat so we're on top of that now."
