Chris Alford is confident classy six-year-old Zonda can return to winning form in Sunday's $8000 St Arnaud Sporting Club St Arnaud Pacing Cup (2570m) at Charlton.
The master reinsman admitted to being slightly concerned with Zonda's last-start fourth placing in the Maryborough Cup, which followed defeat as an odds-on favourite at Kilmore on October 28, but trainer Dean Braun has assured him the gelding has improved.
From a favourable front row draw (three) in Sunday's race, there should be no excuses for the son of Sokys Atom, who has won 11 of his 38 starts and has a further 14 minor placings to his name.
"He was probably a little bit disappointing in the Cup at Maryborough, but Dean found a couple of things not quite right with him after that race and he's fixed them up," Alford said.
"He thinks he's back to his best, so he should go closer to winning this week.
"He gets away from the stand pretty good so he should be up in the firing line throughout."
TAB Sportsbet rates Zonda clearly the best chance of Braun's two St Arnaud Cup runners.
Zonda is the $2.90 early favourite for the C8 or better event, while stablemate Doyouwantitagain is one of the outsiders at $26.
There is every chance Zonda could be challenged for favouritism before Sunday's race at 7.05pm, however.
Former champion filly Jadah Rose, expected to derive great benefit from her first run back from a spell, when ninth of 11 in the Maryborough Cup, and is a $3.20 chance despite starting off 20 metres.
Maryborough Cup third placegetter Dontfencemein is on the third line of betting at $4.40, while The Quiet Village ($8) and Decorated Jasper ($9) are the only other two runners under double figures.
