Nate: Write off Kevin Kline again at your peril - he’s not that fast but he just keeps going

Punters gave Kevin Kline no chance last week at Auckland, when he upset at $22, but co-trainer Nathan Delany warns against scorning him again on Friday night.

“I know it’s a tough field but so was last week’s field,” Delany said. “If everything goes right, he’s a top three chance.”

Kevin Kline, who has risen through the grades virtually on one preparation, meets even higher rated rivals in the Thames Summer Cup at Alexandra Park.

Instead of Invisible, Confederate and You Little Beuaty, he this time faces a stronger bunch including Captain Sampson, Jolimont, Little Spike and The Surfer.

And, along with that, he reverts to a standing stand, which he has tried only three times previously, for one placing.

“I don’t think the stand will worry him,” Delany said. “He steps away pretty well and he never lets you down.

“I thought he did a great job to win last week given he was a couple of lengths off them at the 700.

“I asked Maurice if he was falling asleep back there and he said ‘matey they were going too quick for me’.

“For him to make up the ground and keep his momentum going was huge. But while he’s not that fast, Kevin just keeps going and he keeps gaining speed.”

Delany’s view is mirrored in the closing sectionals of the 2200 metre mobile which Kevin Kline covered in 55.6 and 27.7, easily the fastest in the race.

His mile rate of 1:53.7 also speaks to his toughness and the belief of Delany and his training partner Ray Green that he will be suited by the faster tempo of open class racing.

Providing he can step cleanly for McKendry from the 10 metre mark on Friday, when he has only two horses in front of him, he should enjoy an on-pace trip and get his chance against the backmarkers.

Delany is tipping a top four finish for Tyson in the opening race.

“He needs to run top four to get into Metro Final. Maurice was very happy with him last week and he’s trained on well.”

Tyson racked up his fourth fifth placing on end last week after securing a cushy trip, first in the one-one then one out and two back.

And he ripped off the third fastest closing 800 and 400, in 56.2 and 27.3 to get within two lengths of winner Arden’s Memory.

“Maurice wanted to try something different last week and found a good run for him but he seems to go better if he can get to the parked position.”