The locals look a good chance of getting their hands on the silverware with tomorrow’s Peters Genetics Roxburgh Cup looking wide-open.
Handicaps, formlines, and the nature of the tight-turning Roxburgh track are set to combine to make an enthralling edition of the 2700m feature.
In a wide-open affair, Central Otago owners Bill and Pauline Bain and Karen Peters get their shot at taking home the Roxburgh Cup with their pacer Wattlebank Arnie.
The pacer comes into the time-honoured event after producing a strong fifth placing when taking on a stronger field in the Gore Cup.
After a slow beginning, Wattlebank Arnie worked home stylishly behind a proven Group One performer in Sand Wave.
The five-year-old will need to make a much better beginning tomorrow to take advantage of the head-start he gets on several of his key rivals when starting from the front-line.
Driver Craig Ferguson thinks Wattlebank Arnie can give his rivals plenty to think about if he can put his feet in the right places early.
“I was quite happy with his run in the Gore Cup, after missing away he hit the line nicely,” Ferguson said.
“If he was able to step away and get into a handy spot he would be a chance.”
“But the start is going to be crucial for him, hopefully he can get it right.”
Each of Wattlebank Arnie’s owners has strong ties to the Roxburgh area and the Roxburgh Trotting Club.
Karen Peters races Wattlebank Arnie alongside the estate of her late husband Trevor.
Peters is also a sponsor of the event through her family business Peters Genetics.
Bill Bain is a former president and life member of the Roxburgh Trotting Club.
A significant drop in grade brings Deceptive Lee right into Roxburgh Cup contention.
The Canterbury pacer backs up quickly in the Roxburgh feature after running a solid fifth behind Franco Indie in the Group Three Central Otago Cup.
The pacer steps back in class while starting from a workable 10m handicap in the Roxburgh Cup.
TAB bookmakers rated Deceptive Lee at $7.50 odds, ahead of Wattlebank Arnie at $11, when they opened the Roxburgh Cup market.
Producing strong form behind top-line fillies has been enough to see Kahlua Flybye installed as the early $4.20 Roxburgh Cup favourite.
The four-year-old starts from the back mark of 20m after running third in the Group One New Zealand Oaks in her last start.
