An injury is Our Sunny Whiz's greatest concern heading into her comeback race at Alexandra Park tonight.
Not that the Rowe Cup winner has been hurt - she has never been healthier - but her trainer Ken Sefonte is a member of the walking wounded.
And that meanswhen Our Sunny Whiz steps on to the track as a hot favourite and Pick6 anchor in race nine, she won't be as forward as she usually is.
Sefonte has been recovering from leg surgery which has meant he can't drive, leaving his stable star short of her usual speed work.
"When I brought her back to the race last season she was flying in training and I thought she would win," said Sefonte.
He was right, with Our Sunny Whiz making light work of a 30m handicap in a similar field to win by more than three lengths.
But he says the glamour mare won't be quite as sharp tonight.
"This time in she has missed some speed work because I have been laid up," he said.
"She has still done plenty of strong work and I think she is fit enough to win but a lot will depend on what type of race it is."
Our Sunny Whiz is possibly the fastest trotter in New Zealand when saved for one run and Sefonte says that is how she will be driven tonight.
"Then it comes down to the times. If they trot 3:30 [for the 2700m] then she might just start to struggle the last 50m.
"But if they go slow I think she will blow them away."
Sefonte says the 30m handicap may look daunting, but the small field helps negate it as well as the fact that open class, proven trotters in the race, Braig and Pompallier, are both also fresh-up for the season.
But even allowing for Sefonte's honesty about the mare's condition, most punters will anchor her in the $100,000 Pick6, especially as she was so dynamic at the back end of last season.
Many will also anchor Changeover in the Kumeu Cup but, even with a small field, the last race of the Pick6 provides a tough assignment, with St Barts, Palomine and Long John Anvil all potential open class pacers.
