Smoken Up is on fire
Harness Racing 
/ Andy Morris / 08 January 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now
"A more intriguing proposition is New Zealand horse Cincinnati Kid, who was third in the Casey Classic on December 18 at Tabcorp Park and is likely to give backers a decent run for their money."
Even an unkind draw doesn't stop Smoken Up looking the part for the SA Cup at Globe Derby, writes Andy Morris.
Lance Justice's entrant will have to do it the hard way, having drawn two-out on the second row.
He will still carry the smart money in the 10-horse race, based on his second in the Victoria Cup.
Smoken Up is the form Australian horse of the season, with close-up placings in the New Zealand Cup, Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup.
He has not won since October 25, but that won't put off too many traders as his losing efforts in the Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup saw him make all the running only to be overtaken by Monkey King and Bettors Strike respectively in what were race record times.
Justice feels confident
Justice feels Smoken Up has come on well from his Victoria Cup outing, and expects him to be able to overcome the draw. He will be pushed to the front at some stage, says Justice, and then see what happens.
Big dangers to Smoken Up include Mister Zion, trained by Geoff Webster who won this race last year with Mister Swinger.
A last start winner of the Cobram Cup, Mister Zion has 11 wins in 18 starts and has seen his odds cut by a good draw of gate two.
Brian Hancock, trainer of Artifactor who has drawn gate three, has a good record in the race but this horse will need a major improvement on his last two starts, particularly his eighth placing at Menangle on January 1.
New Zealand raiders worth considering
Baltic Ice, trained by Glenn Freeman, has raced well at this level without winning, his last success coming at Bendigo on November 17 2008.
A more intriguing proposition is New Zealand horse Cincinnati Kid, who was third in the Casey Classic on December 18 at Tabcorp Park and is likely to give backers a decent run for their money.
Another Kiwi raider, Diamonds N Furs, has good form over a shorter trip but could be in the mix, while Ti Vogliobene had a good win on this track in the Barastoc Cup so will attract a fair share of money.
