Vulcan has the race conditions on his side as he seeks to continue his return to form at Omakau today.
The 10-time group 1 winner had been out of the winner's circle for 13 months - and more than 20 months in New Zealand - until he found his winning mojo at Addington on December 13.
A move to the beach to David and Catherine Butt's Woodend Beach stables has revived the old spark in the 8yr-old, and he chased hard at Ashburton last Friday off his 30m mark.
However, the small field and the mobile start plays into the hands of Vulcan and his driver, Bob Butt.
He starts off even terms against the likes of c3 trotter Aile Rouge and c5 trotters Mr Mayfly and Saratoga, and the progressive mare Experiment is outside him due to being on the unruly mark.
Alley Way started off the 2014-15 season in similar form to the previous year, but has had a let-up since winning at Forbury Park in late October.
He was unplaced at a workout against the pacers at Ascot Park on Sunday.
Saratoga could be the major threat from the inside, after running second to Live The Dream at Ashburton.
