By Michael Guerin
MELBOURNE - Two scratchings weeks apart may have handed Holmes D G the richest harness race in Australasia.
Holmes D G arrived in Melbourne 19 days ago with trainer Barry Purdon thinking he would have to take on the mighty Christian Cullen.
That fear lasted about 24 hours. Christian Cullen was scratched after a setback, Holmes D G went on to win the $A250,000 Victoria Cup a fortnight ago.
That win coupled with a luxury front line handicap made tonight's $A400,000 Hunter Cup look a gift for Holmes D G.
Until some hot wind blew in from the west.
The talk in Perth was that former Victorian pacer Ted Barry would be impossible to beat if he reached the lead in the Hunter Cup.
His controversial trainer Justin Warwick indicated he was not scared of Holmes D G after Ted Barry was an unlucky fourth in last Friday's West Australian Cup.
On Thursday, Warwick said he would take advantage of Holmes D G's suspect barrier manners to lead and not hand up to the Kiwi pacer.
A new challenger and clear second favourite had emerged.
Well, he lasted 24 hours too.
Because when the Warwick team hopped on a plane in Perth yesterday, Ted Barry stayed home.
Struck down by a late virus he will not give Warwick a chance of adding to the Hunter Cup he won last season with Try A Fluke.
Which leaves Holmes D G just one safe beginning away from the biggest win of his career.
If the multiple-Derby winner leads, he will be unbeatable over the 3280m trip and even if he settles in a handy position, he should win easily.
Purdon has been giving the 4-year-old barrier practice without overdoing it.
"I don't want to make too big a deal of the standing start thing because it is just inexperience. I think he will be all right," Purdon said.
Helping Purdon's cause will be Holmes D G's draw wide on a small front line, as well as the start being in the back straight, far away from the hype of the huge crowd.
Even the drivers of Holmes D G's rivals admit he will be nearly impossible to beat with an even beginning.
"My horse is flying but if Holmes D G steps I don't think we can beat him," said Anthony Butt, driver of Happy Asset.
The latter, along with Kate's First, loom as the two biggest dangers to the favourite.
Happy Asset had no luck when pushed to last in both the Auckland and Victoria Cups and Butt is hoping to use the gelding's standing start manners to get a handy sit.
Kate's First is racing at her peak but her sluggish beginnings could be a problem in a big field around the tight Moonee Valley track.
While the Kiwis should continue a fine Hunter Cup record, only Knight Pistol looks capable of stopping northern stables winning the $A100,000 Australasian Trotters' Championships an hour earlier.
The champion Australian trotter will be looking for his 50th win but he and fellow 40m backmarker Buster Hanover face huge tasks.
They will have to give decent starts - and therefore valuable field position - to young guns Special Force and Sundon's Way.
While Special Force has been flying since arriving in Melbourne, Sundon's Way looks better value.
Punters should remember he was only a nose from beating Cedar Fella in the Dominion Handicap at Addington in November.
Horse racing: Barrier manners biggest danger
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