Racing: Star will be either trotter or rotter

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Jim Smith has no fears that one of New Zealand's most exciting trotters will turn into one of New Zealand's most costly gallopers tonight.

Smith trains Mountain Spring, who will be the hot favourite in the $20,000 Green Lane Cup at Alexandra Park.

The Mountain Spring equation is simple - when he trots all the way, he is almost unbeatable. When he gallops, he almost always costs punters a fortune.

So all you need to know before tonight's fifth leg of Pick Six is whether Mountain Spring will trot all the way.

Smith says he will.

The veteran horseman has an outstanding history with trotters, and had a rare workouts drive behind Mountain Spring at Alexandra Park last Saturday.

The pair beat the talented Sunease in a good time for the 2700m, but more importantly the big trotter did not put a foot wrong.

"He felt very good and has come through that well, too," said Smith.

"He never looked like galloping last Saturday and I think he will be all right on Friday."

Mountain Spring galloped twice last start, including once when challenging mid-race, but Smith says that is an exception these days.

"He used to gallop at the start but I don't think he had ever galloped mid-race until last start. I don't know why he did it."

Mountain Spring will be reunited with regular driver Tony Herlihy tonight, who is returning from an Australian campaign for 24 hours to drive at the meeting.

"Having Tony in the sulky is always a big help because he knows the horse so well. He'll be hard to beat."

While Mountain Spring is heading for open class, the race is one of his toughest of the season. He faces a 20m handicap and a bigger-than-usual field for a feature race trot at Alexandra Park.

But if he behaves he should have few problems looping the field in the middle stages and being the horse his rivals have to catch.

His rivals are not pushovers.

Kayla Nova has produced two big wins in her two starts this campaign and still comes in off the front line tonight, from where her finishing speed could be valuable should the other favourites have to work too hard from their handicaps.

She is joined by another class 4-year-old mare in Martina H, who has not raced since her impressive 3-year-old season last year.

Trainer Derek Balle was happy with Martina H's win at the Alexandra Park workouts last Saturday, but had intended starting her off a handicap in tonight's weaker trot.

She has the advantage of the one draw on the front line and is a tough stayer, but could be found wanting if the winner has to break 3:30 for the 2700m, which is possible considering the quality of the field.

Locanda's Mac bounced back to his best trotting form last Friday and, along with Speedon, who beat Mountain Spring two starts ago, adds to a great betting race should the favourite's manners let him down.