The surf and sand of Westwood Beach has played an important part in Otago pacing star Titan Banner's preparation for today's New Zealand Cup at Addington.
The Westwood Beach pacer has the enormous task of trying to defeat hot favourite Lazarus in the $800,000 event.
But instead of shying away from that challenge, Titan Banner's connections are daring to dream of winning the 3200m race.
Trainer Graeme Anderson has taken the approach that he will concentrate on his own horse, rather than worrying about the opposition, with the horse's campaign this season.
And little will change going into today's race.
What Anderson knows is that his horse has the right attributes and is in peak physical condition to run well in the race.
``Realistically, we need Lazarus to have bad luck to beat him,'' he said.
``But we can only go out there worrying about ourselves. What we know is that the horse is very well, he will step well and he can stay.''
A week ago, Titan Banner was not at peak condition after his runner-up effort behind Lazarus in the Kaikoura Cup.
The hard, flat and tight Kaikoura track caused the horse some post-race soreness.
But treatment, which included wading in the waters of Westwood Beach, has Titan Banner back at 100%, Anderson said.
``He worked great last week, he is looking great and feeling great. I am very happy with him.''
Titan Banner has been the been rated fourth-equal favourite with Dream About Me leading into today's race behind Lazarus, Heaven Rocks and Tiger Tara.
Tiger Tara, runner-up in the race last year when trained in Canterbury, brings hot recent Australian form into today's race and lines up in a favourable outside barrier spot, like Titan Banner.
Dream About Me brings solid form into today's event, having placed without managing to win in five lead-up races.
Heaven Rocks brings his freakish ability and rockstar reputation to harness racing's biggest show.
He has come through a last-minute health scare with a brilliant final workout leading into the race.
Selections
The experts say
Jonny Turner, ODT racing journalist
1. Lazarus
2.Titan Banner
3. Heaven Rocks
Mark McNamara, New Zealand Cup commentator
1. Lazarus
2. Heaven Rocks
3. No Doctor Needed
Matthew Williamson, Leading Otago driver
1. Lazarus
2. Dream About Me
3. Titan Banner
