KEY POINTS:
Punters may have been burned by Alonzo's fresh-up miss, but his Cambridge trainer Margaret Falconer was doing handstands.
After the gelding's nine-month injury enforced lay-off, a fast-finishing second on an off-track sure felt like a victory for Falconer.
All the signs had been there pre-race that one of the favourites for the $250,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton today was back to his best.
But until race-day pressure went on the knee he hurt in last season's Thorndon Mile, Falconer couldn't let herself totally relax.
"I was really happy with that first-up run," said Falconer, who also bred and co-owns the exciting 5-year-old.
"Ellerslie was slightly off for him and he likes it firm, and he got to the line well.
"That was his first race for nine months and there's a lot of improvement in him."
Adding to Falconer's confidence today is that Alonzo also has an unbeaten record second-up; over 1400m at Te Rapa in April, 2005, and again this time last year over the same trip at Tauranga.
Alonzo takes a massive step up in class at Riccarton from those victories.
But although he's only lightly raced, he's already proven he can cope with group-company by running a close-up fourth in last season's Rich Hill Mile on New Year's Day at Ellerslie.
On the strength of an impressive Boxing Day win in PQ grade Alonzo went out favourite that day and looked set for a group-winning debut victory half-way down the straight.
But the combination of having to be used up from an outside gate and gawking through inexperience cost him dearly in the final 150m.
Alonzo tackled the Thorndon next-up as second favourite and even after a bone-chip injury during the race still finished just three lengths adrift of upset winner Macavelli Lass.
"Michael [Coleman] said he didn't quite feel himself during the race and he pulled up sore," said Falconer.
The silver lining on that cloud is that powerfully-built galloper has come back even stronger, and a lot more mature.
Falconer said he's handling his longest road-trip so far like a seasoned pro after flying south last Tuesday to avoid a marathon float-ride.
The weather also looks like playing its part with strong winds blowing yesterday ensuring Alonzo gets the firm track he prefers.
Lisa Cropp's mount is weighted to win too with just 52.5kg and Falconer said the pair can race anywhere in the running.
"He was only getting back earlier on in his career because of the draws," said Falconer.
"He's a big, strong horse and we didn't want to teach him to jump and run. He's capable of racing handier; it doesn't really worry him. We'll just see how the race pans out."
Leigh Valley and course-specialist Mikki Street should be the toughest to beat.
The former turned in the run of an improver when a close-up fourth behind Jury's Out last time out at Hastings.
Leigh Valley pushed Cog Hill to a long head when second in this race last year.
Mikki Street, winner of the group three $100,000 Winter Cup Handicap (1600m) at Riccarton in August, has since had three starts and has twice finished second.
