But that will be of no concern to his trainer, Murray Tapper, when the 5yr-old lines up in the 2600m c1 trot.
Ottawa is one of at least three horses starting off the unruly mark, which gives the son of Monarchy more chance of getting away cleanly from the standing start.
Judging by Ottawa's effort for fifth at Ashburton behind Harriet Of Mot, Tapper is not concerned about having to work around horses during the race.
''He's been going super at the trials and I think he's a big chance, as long as he can get away a lot handier than last time.''
Driver Samantha Ottley was caught slightly out of position when the tapes flew at Ashburton, but Tapper expects things will be different tomorrow with Ottley driving again.
''I've been driving him at the trials last start and he goes away good, so there's no reason to be that far behind them.
''If he can get away in 9th or 10th, and get one run at them, he's quicker than most c1 [horses] and he should finish over the top of most of them.''
Any form behind the very promising Harriet Of Mot can be considered good form, and Tapper was rapt with the way Ottawa hit the line two Sundays ago.
''They went 3.04.0 [for the 2400m] with a last half of 56 [sec], and my fellow was giving them a 40m start and was three wide for the last lap and a bit. He went massive and got nothing for it.''
Ottawa was a visitor to Oamaru for the trials last week, but has raced there just once on an official race day for a second behind Waterloo Sunset in September.
''He must have just picked up a bug at the end of the campaign and he wasn't going as good but he seems really good now and I'm really happy with him.''
Ottawa is ready to fire, but Tapper warned punters to be more patient with Pretorius in the c0 trot which begins the nine-race card.
''He's a nice horse in the making, but he's lacking ringcraft,'' Tapper explained.
Oddly enough, it is the 3yr-old's good manners at the trials which might leave him underdone on his debut.
''He's always begun good and been in front, so he hasn't done any trailing work or company work. It may get a bit claustrophobic for him early on with horses around him.''
However, with maiden trots it is often a case of which horse trots the whole way.
Tapper hopes the field will spread out to give his charge some clear air.
''I imagine there are going to be a fair few galloping in it, so if he trots the whole way, I'll be happy if he runs third or fourth - it would be a good start for him.
''To be fair to him, he wouldn't really want to be winning it because he'd be absolutely buggered in the c1 grade at this stage.''
Tapper was quite clear about Lets Go Freddy's hopes in race 4 after a weak debut at Oamaru last month.
''He's on his last legs. He's just not putting in and will need a lot of luck to get some money.''
