Courage To Rule may be the best horse in the country you have never seen win.
But Pick6 punters should beware, that may not change at Alexandra Park tonight.
Courage To Rule was the second-best performed 2-year-old pacer in New Zealand last season, producing two huge seconds behind Smiling Shard
in the Sires' Stakes Final and Harness Jewels.
He was clearly the best of his age in the North Island and looks certain to develop into a genuine Derby contender. But he is also something of a rarity, with both his wins coming in non-tote races, watched by just a handful of early-night racegoers.
And co-trainer Brian Hughes says don't be surprised if, for all his class, Courage To Rule still hasn't won a tote race after he contests the last tonight.
While he is the best maiden in the country, Courage To Rule meets another exciting 3-year-old in River Field tonight and is likely to concede him a big start because of their draws. River Field has drawn three and Courage To Rule the outside of the second line. "And our fella hasn't had a trial or a workout," said Hughes.
"We were going to take him to the workouts this week but it fits his programme better with the Sires' Stakes coming up to race instead. He is pretty forward but obviously not at his peak so a lot will depend on how the race pans out.
"I'd like to think he could win but he could just as easily get beaten."
That should be enough to sway most punters to include River Field on their Pick6 tickets as he was beaten only once last season, when sixth in the Jewels,
Hughes and training partner John Green also have Isa Good Looking (race five) and the well-bred Twice As Great (race eight) in tonight's Pick6. "Isa Good Looking suffers from soreness problems but was good last start and I think he has a chance, although Cyclone Jake will be hard to beat in that."
Twice As Great qualified only a few weeks ago and still has plenty of learn and meets some smart fillies and mares in the eighth.
"She will be better with some racing but has some ability."
* Tonight's meeting is part of the TAB's bonus weekend, with $20,000 bonus money in the quaddie.
There is $8000 injected into the first four on races one and four and $8000 in the trifecta for race six.
