Trainer Matt Purvis is hoping for more luck in the running for his stable at Addington tonight than he has received recently.
Purvis combines with reinswoman Alana Cameron to start a three-strong team headed by Smarter VC.
The 8yr-old goes into the feature pace after being unable to show his best in his last two starts, when he ran into traffic problems from barrier 8.
Tonight he should more easily find clear racing room
and he will probably be driven for one run from barrier 5.
"He has had no real luck since he cracked through in the Timaru Winter Cup," Purvis said.
"It makes it tough that he can't just swing around wide and go around them. But he is more consistent getting driven [with one run] and he can race week in and week out, so long as he stays [when] being driven that way."
Smarter VC's last two luckless runs have resulted in fourth placings.
Purvis hopes that meeting just seven other runners in tonight's 1980m will lead to a better run.
"He was desperately unlucky last week and with the small field again he is going to get his chance to get home over the top of them."
Smarter VC has progressed to peak fitness and is ready to strike after having his first start for Purvis five runs ago.
The trainer said he was thankful to the gelding's previous trainers, Regan Todd and Colin DeFilippi, for being able to take on the talented pacer.
"He is pretty easy to train. He pretty much lives in the swimming pool and that is pretty much him for the week."
Smarter VC clashes with an even line-up of intermediate grade pacers. Kiwis Are Flying, Doitson and Hayden's Meddle look three of his toughest opponents.
Bonny's Gem comes into race 5 under similar circumstances to Smarter VC.
She has not enjoyed much luck in her last two starts after being held up in one run and getting checked in another.
And, like Smarter VC, the 4yr-old is likely to be driven for one run.
"She is pretty much the same - a high-speed kind of horse, so we have opted to drive her with one run while she is still strengthening.
"She didn't have much luck [last start], copping a check when trying to slot into the running line last week. But she ran a superb last 800m and I was rapt with that."
Like her stablemates, Machs Mareta has also been unlucky recently.
But her luck has nothing to do with her recent racing.
Injury problems have kept her out of action since she ran a decent second behind Mucho Macho Man at Forbury Park in February.
Machs Mareta had a workout at Rangiora last week and Purvis believes that and her prior work have her ready for her return at Addington.
"She has copped a lot of work and I was rapt with her trial."
Machs Mareta resumes in rating 48-59 company in race 3.
