KEY POINTS:
Australian bookmakers are writing off Kiwi pacer Fergiemack in tonight's A$150,000 ($166,500) Victoria Derby.
The outstanding South Auckland pacer has drifted out to $10 with the Victorian TAB after drawing wide on the second line while local star Lombo Pocket Watch has the perfect barrier two.
That has seen an avalanche of money come from Lombo Pocket Watch, who suffered the first real defeat of his career when a gutsy third in his heat of the series last Saturday.
With the hype around the grey colt so intense, TAB bookies opened him at $1.50 but that was seen as a gift by punters and of the first $14,000 invested on the Derby $13,700 was on the favourite.
Those punters will have history on their side too, with the last 12 Victoria Derbies won by the first or second favourite.
Which is not good news for punters who hope Fergiemack can overcome his horror draw around Moonee Valley tonight.
Fergiemack recorded the fastest time of the three heat winners last Saturday, working to the lead then holding out the very tough local, Singasongasixpence.
After that performance trainer-driver Tony Herlihy was convinced Fergiemack would be better for tonight's Derby but he now admits the draw makes the classic very tough.
"It is always hard to come from a draw like that in a Derby, even more so on the smaller tracks in Australia," said Herlihy.
"They have some pretty smart 3-year-olds over there as well as Lombo Pocket Watch of course so we will need some luck.
"Some pressure early in the race would help but at least I know my horse is well in himself and we just have to hope things go our way."
Fergiemack looks the second best horse in the race and drawn inside Lombo Pocket Watch he might have pushed him for favouritism.
But the Aussie hero looks certain to lead tonight and his reputation is so daunting it is hard to envisage any of his rivals making life hard for him so he really should win.
Singasongasixpence fought so well for second to Fergiemack last Saturday that he is a must for trifectas as is Triple Vance, who is drawn to get the perfect run behind the favourite.
New Zealand's other interest on the night comes in the form of trotting stablemates Glenbogle and Whatsundermykilt and the now enigmatic Delft, who contest the Dullard Cup.
Glenbogle has the draw to threaten hot favourite A Touch Of Flair but would need to have returned to his best after a dreadful Adelaide section of the recent Interdominion series.
Whatsundermykilt is an obvious each way threat while the fact Delft is even in the race will surprise many after he was pulled out of the Interdominions following a terrible first night performance.
He trialled well this week and if he was the same horse who won the Interdominions on the track last season he would win tonight.
But unfortunately for his fans, and those punters who have continued to support him, that Delft has not been sighted this season.
* Utopia and Franco Azore will fight out the $10,000 northern grass track bonus at Tauranga tomorrow.
Utopia heads the series after winning at all three grass track meetings in the last month but faces a tricky draw in race nine, whereas Franco Azore will start from barrier three.
The main event of the day should see Retail Therapy and Tuffery dominate betting on the $12,000 cup.
Valley highs
* The Victoria Derby features South Auckland pacer Fergiemack.
* Three Kiwi trotters take on local star A Touch Of Flair in the Dullard Cup.
* Tonight's Moonee Valley Cup provides automatic entry into the $500,000 Hunter Cup.
