The variable simply is whether Dyna Vikkers strikes trouble in the first few strides out of the boxes.
But even that might not be enough to stop the $1.50 favourite from dominating the time-honoured 520m feature.
Dyna Vikkers will jump from box 2, a spot with which his Christchurch trainer, Craig Roberts, is more than happy.
''He has copped a wee bit of flak in the past about he's not the best box dog but he's gone about 5.80 [from the 520m boxes to the winning post the first time] three times at Addington,'' Roberts said.
''I'm quite happy with box 2 - he should beat the one out. The key is beating the one out and holding the rail. All he has to do is get out of the boxes and hold his position.''
Dyna Vikkers has flown the boxes at Addington at his past two starts but Roberts believes a slow start - more in keeping with his New Zealand box manners since he arrived - might not stop his kennel superstar anyway.''
Even if there are a couple in front of him around the first bend, I'm not too worried just as long as he gets around all right.''
Roberts has kennelled many top greyhounds over his training career, including five New Zealand Derby winners and 2000 New Zealand Cup winner Red Hot Zinger.
But he is quick to label Dyna Vikkers the best he has trained, leaving top dogs such as Awesome Paul, Red Hot Zinger and Gatlin Bale in the shade.
''I've rated him the best I've had, and I've had some bloody good ones over the years,'' Roberts said.
''He can do everything - he can go hard early, pass on the inside, pass on the outside and he's strong at the line. He can burn at both ends and he's got a brain.''
Roberts suspected he had a good 'hound on his hands when the Barcia Bale dog smashed the clock in a trial at Addington in the summer shortly after arriving from Australia.
''I think he equalled the record for that at his first look from memory.
''Where he really excels is his commitment and his desire. That's what stands him above others - he's such a good competitor.''
The Jason Dunn-trained Born To Boom and Cawbourne Brick - trained by Roberts' son, Matt - are the only other runners in single figures.
Roberts suggests Cawbourne War (race 10) is the best of his other runners on the night, after the greyhound galloped his closing sectional at Addington on October 30 just as quickly as Dyna Vikkers.
