Big guns return to action this Friday

The boys are back in town on Friday night but they had better feel like a fight.

Because both Marketplace and Republican Party face mammoth tasks in their Addington comeback races.

The two sons of Bettor’s Delight are both special in their own way: Republican Party the equine little engine who could while Marketplace might be pacing’s next big thing.

To deserve that title he is going to need to clean up most of the elite three-year-old races in the second half of the season, which is exactly what he did in the first half.

The first step down that path is the $25,000 Wai Eyre Farm Lazarus Stakes this Friday and being preferential draw he will start from the outside of the front line over the 1980m.

He only has six rivals but three of them are Bettors Anvil, Got The Chocolates and Rubira so tactics and tempo are going to be crucial.

In case you missed the first half of the season here is a refresher course: Marketplace is the best. He is also beatable when driven conservatively and especially fresh up.

Make of that what you will.

Republican Party faces an even bigger challenge in the $22,500 Commodore Hotel Pace, in which he starts off a 20m handicap.

No argument with that after he won three Group 1 races from December to May and you could even make the case after their form of the last 12 months Don’t Stop Dreaming is unlucky to be sharing that 20m backmark with Republican Party.

In reality they might both be in trouble as the front line horses led by We Walk By Faith won’t be waiting for them and the 10m markers Alta Meteor and Mo’unga both went like they had been shot out of a cannon last start.

Earlier in the night unbeaten filly Duchess Maria returns in the Sundon Trot while a different Duchess, last name Megxit, headlines a fine group of girls in the Woodlands Stud Spring Sprint Series.

Alexandra Park will play second fiddle to Addington but still have two strong TAB Metro Series Finals, with the trotter’s $35,000 mobile looking the more interesting contest.

To see the Auckland fields click here

To see the Addington fields click here

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand