By MICHAEL GUERIN
Derby king Stars And Stripes doesn't deserve to win his next big clash - just ask driver Ken Barron.
Barron is Stars And Stripes' biggest fan, hardly surprising considering they combined to win their fourth Derby at Harold Park last Friday night.
That completed an incredible season in which Stars And Stripes has won five group one races, three of them from second line draws.
But Barron says Stars And Stripes doesn't deserve to win his next major assignment - the New Zealand Pacer of the Year title.
While voting for the Horse of the Year awards is still six weeks away, only one feature race remains for the season and most categories are already decided.
Champion trotter Lyell Creek will win Horse of the Year but Pacer of the Year is not so clear cut.
Unbelievably in a season that started with Christian Cullen and Courage Under Fire as the industry pin-up boys neither horse deserves a vote for Pacer of the Year.
That leaves Stars And Stripes locked in a battle with Holmes D G and Happy Asset.
After winning three group ones - the NZ Free-For-All, Miracle Mile and Trueur Memorial - Holmes D G was the early frontrunner for the title before his dramatic Interdominion form slump. But he is still the Grand Circuit champion.
His loss of form coincided with Happy Asset's rejuvenation, winning the Auckland Cup and finishing placed in the Interdom Final and Hunter Cup.
But with those effort fading at the end of a long season Stars And Stripes is a chance to knock his older rivals off for the Pacer of the Year title.
Yet Barron says that would be wrong.
"I think Holmes D G deserves to get it," the no-nonsense Ashburton horseman said.
"Stars And Stripes has had an amazing season and is a great 3-year-old but I still think the Grand Circuit is the real testing ground for the best horses.
"Holmes D G dominated that early on and while Happy Asset caught up later he only had the one major win.
"I think an older horse who can win that many group ones deserves the title."
The awards are voted on by the media and have traditionally been bias to southern horses, which will aid Stars And Stripes.
But Barron says he is just happy last Friday's win will at least silence many of those who had criticised Stars And Stripes since his controversial.New Zealand Derby win in which he took the line of Hunka Hickling in the straight.
"He didn't get the credit he deserved for that Derby but after winning last Friday at least people might realise he is better than the other 3-year-olds."
The only annual award likely to be affected by races still top come this season is the Juvenile Pacing Filly of the Year, the result of which hangs on the Caduceus Club Classic at Alexandra Park on June 9.
Racing: Barron predicting defeat for champ
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