By Michael Guerin
The TAB breathed some life back into the Auckland Trotting Cup market yesterday.
With the December 29 classic having been rated a twohorse race between Christian Cullen and archrival Holmes D G the fixed odds book had been a bore.
Until yesterday's barrier draw the TAB was holding only $10,000 on the race.
But the odds and the complexion of the race changed dramatically after the draw.
The big loser, outside the expected ballots Masterclass and Bold Kamwood, was Holmes D G who will have to start from two on the second line, massively negating the 10m advantage he could have had over Christian Cullen.
And just as poorly off is Happy Asset, who has copped a second line draw for the second year in a row.
The big winners were John Hay and Mark Purdon with a consolation prize for Doug Gale.
Hay's duo of There's A Franco and Franco Enforce will start from barriers three and four while Purdon's three starters Sharp And Telford, Brabham and Bogan Fella - all got front line draws.
And while Kate's First drew the outside of the front line trainer Gale will be happy with that because she can be slow from a stand and is a better horse with room to move.
The TAB reacted with some unusually loose market alterations.
After having Christian Cullen at $1.50 they have lengthened him to $1.70, adopting the attitude the race is the greatest challenge of his career so far.
The big fella was not personally affected by yesterday's draw. He was always going to be standing alone on the 10m mark because of his race recordequalling New Zealand Cup win last month.
Holmes D G moves out to $4.50 while Sharp And Telford is a long odds third favourite at $14. Franco Enforce and Franco Hat Trick, courtesy of their good draws, are the only other runners under $20.
The new market is sure to attract interest but punters face a task nearly as tough as the 15 Cup runners themselves.
The bad news for both Christian Cullen and Holmes D G is the four horses most likely to set a crazy speed have all got the draws to do it.
Former Cup winners Sharp And Telford and Kate's First and known front runners Bogan Fella and Sam Malone all start from the middle or outside of the front line and it would be a major surprise in one of the quartet was not in front after 800m.
Sharp And Telford and Kate's First in particular would be unlikely to give away the lead easily meaning any horse wanting to move forward in the middle stages is going to use a lot of petrol.
While reactions to the draws were understandably mixed, the men who will drive the two biggest sufferers were philosophical.
"I would have preferred a widish front line draw," said Holmes D G's trainer-driver Barry Purdon.
"But I suppose from there if he steps away well he could run through to be among the leaders. It is up to him now."
Anthony Butt agreed the draw made Happy Asset's task that much harder because the gelding usually gains an advantage over his rivals with his flying starts.
"But you never really know whether a draw is good or bad until after the race," said Butt.
"I have had handy draws before when I have got pushed back and then sometimes you get a lovely cart into the race from a poor draw.
"But in saying that I would have taken a handy draw if they had let me choose."
The latest Auckland Trotting Cup market is: $1.70, Christian Cullen; $4.50, Holmes D G; $14, Sharp And Telford; $16, Franco Enforce; $18, Franco Hat Trick; $20, Brabham; $22, Kate's First, Sam Malone; $30, Happy Asset, Bogan Fella; $40, Anvil Vance; $50, There's A Franco; $60, Kliklite; $80, Prince Sheldon; $150, Surprise Package; $200, Masterclass, Bold Kamwoodd.
Barrier draw unkind to Cup favourites
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