A massive ''Good Luck Terror To Love'' banner flew over the city yesterday, and free entry is promised on Show Day if Canterbury's favourite pacer wins today's New Zealand Trotting Cup.
All the fanfare is second nature to Terror To Love by now.
Besides, he probably could not see the banner from his paddock just 30m from the stable block at Harcourt Lodge in West Melton.
And, of course, horses cannot read.
His trainers, Graham and Paul Court, are not getting too hyped up, either.
They are going through the usual motions at the stables, even if they know they are on the edge of harness racing immortality, as their pacer seeks his fourth straight win in New Zealand harness racing's premier event.
However, the focus now rests on his preparation and the driving genius of Ricky May, who will be shooting for his eighth cup-winning drive.
''We treat it like any other race,'' Paul Court said after Terror To Love's last bout of fast work on Sunday.
''We've done our bit now so it's really up to Rick and, hopefully, he can do his bit.''
When Terror To Love returned to racing this season with a resounding win in the Avon City Ford Cup, any concerns about his readiness to defend his cup crown quickly disappeared.
''Everything's gone to plan so far, touch wood,'' Court said.
''All of his lead-up runs have been good. Even the last one at Ashburton [finishing 6th ], he got home pretty good, so everything's on track.''
Although high-performance athletes deal with bumps, bruises and strains, the Courts' job has been made easier by Terror To Love's conformation over the past few years as he has avoided any of the serious injuries that can stall a career.
''We haven't really had any major dramas. He used to get tender feet but we're on top of that. He probably looks after himself, really.''
The last few months have not been easy for Terror To Love's owner, Terry McDonald, who lost his brother, Ken - a part-owner in cup rival For A Reason - in August, and underwent back surgery a month later.
Court reckons McDonald is feeling the pressure a bit - ''He's smoking like a train, so that's usually a wee sign of nerves'' - but is loving the ride Terror has taken McDonald and the Courts on together.
''That's what makes it even more special - he's best mates with Dad and he's like a father/grandfather to me and that makes it even better.''
Barrier 9 will assist May in getting the 7yr-old away from the standing start, and the Courts can be sure of one thing - Terror To Love will have a massive Addington crowd on his side.
