KEY POINTS:
Backing horses who haven't won for 32 starts is usually a good way to get rid of any extra money you might have lying around.
But High Flyin is worth the gamble in tonight's Winter Cup at Alexandra Park.
The old grinder goes into the $14,000 main race
having not won since January last year and he has rarely placed this season.
Driver David Butcher says the problem is a simple one.
"He isn't fast enough," admits Butcher. "In the grade he is racing in you come up against at least one or two good horses every week and they always outsprint him.
"But this week looks more his go and I'd like to be in front and running them along."
High Flyin is ideally placed under the conditions of tonight's 2700m standing start event to end his winning drought.
Firstly, he doesn't have to meet the age group speedsters like Roman Conqueror or Ebony Gem who dominated similar races last week.
And his long break from the winner's circle means he comes in well placed off the front under the discretionary conditions tonight, from where he only needs to step well to push for the lead.
In a race down on quality from recent weeks, if High Flyin can find the front there doesn't appear to be many rivals good enough to challenge him mid-race and still be there at the finish.
"His form isn't all that bad when you consider the horses who beat him home at Cambridge last week," confirms Butcher. "He will get his chance this week for sure."
Harry Kay looms as the each-way danger as he could step and stay handy while the Kevin Smith-trained stablemates Sirhakazz and Our Fred all look chances.
Sirhakazz has been solid against better opponents lately and the small field will suit his racing style.
Butcher, as is usually the case, has winning chances in several races tonight, most of them trained by Geoff Small.
The pair will combine with possible favourite Maheer Skipper in the last race, where the speedy colt looks well placed from barrier three.
"I thought he was all right after they went hard early at Cambridge last week and this looks a good race for him," said Butcher.
The race looks one of the best of the night, with at least five potential winning chances.
Jazz Bromac looks a major threat to Maheer Skipper, while Captain Bushrat, Jonny Wilkinson and Good Bad And Deugly are all better that this grade at their best.
Butcher will also partner Perfect Cullen, who is fresh up but has to rate a winning chance in race nine, along with Zutano, who finds himself in the right field in race two.
TONIGHT'S WINTER CUP
* High Flyin hasn't won a race for 17 months.
* But he gets his chance in the Winter Cup at Alexandra Park tonight.
* He will be reunited with driver David Butcher.
* Butcher has a small but solid book of drives.
