Harness Racing / Andy Morris / 06 February 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

On the night harness racing comes to an end at Moonee Valley, Andy Morris thinks Karloo Mick looks to have every chance of taking out the capacity BIG6 Hunter Cup.

Of the other starters who drew well, last year's runner-up I Am Sam will have his backers after drawing four, while Im Themightyquinn from six looks a decent proposition.

Karloo Mick, a popular NSW veteran, has drawn barrier one in the BIG6 Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley and, with such a big field and 11 of the 14 runners starting off the front, barrier draw looks like it will play a huge factor.

Trainer Barry Lew, reasonably happy with his performance in the Ballarat Cup (he finished second but was relegated to third on protest), had considered entering him for Sunday's Canberra Cup but obviously feels he has what it takes to break his duck from a standing-start. He has failed in four attempts, yet three of them have seen him at least 10m back at the start.

Favourite off 10 metre handicap

Mr Feelgood starts 20 metres back, while favourite Bettors Strike and Washakie are the others off a handicap - 10 metres in their case.

Of the other starters who drew well, last year's runner-up I Am Sam will have his backers after drawing four, while Im Themightyquinn from six looks a decent proposition.

For every winner in the draw, of course, there was a horse whose chances were hit by drawing in the second line, and both Smoken Up and Tanabi Bromac were unlucky.

Smoken Up may miss out again

Those punters who have seen Smoken Up go close so many times in the past might feel like history is repeating itself. The gelding has run second in two Victoria Cups, second in a Miracle Mile and third in both an InterDominion final and the New Zealand Cup.

Indeed, just two years ago in his only previous attempt at the Hunter Cup, his backers were set to celebrate when it looked like he would triumph, only to see Blacks A Fake beat him by a half-head.

Bondy will carry the hopes of many from across the Tasman, having broken the track record and winning first-up in last weekend's Pure Steel, with barrier five ideal.

Of the other Kiwi chances, Lincoln Royal starts from one on the second line, while Courage To Rule is wide on the front line.