KEY POINTS:
A minor race at Cambridge may seem a low key lead-up to a $200,000 Derby but for Benny Mac, without one there may not be the other.
The big-hearted 3-year-old heads to Cambridge tonight as a hot favourite for the one-win race, even though his most recent racing
has been in far tougher events.
But trainer Gareth Dixon says tonight's race is about making sure Benny Mac gets his shot at the $200,000 Woodlands Northern Derby on February 29.
Benny Mac is one of the more favoured northern contenders for that classic but like so many of the Derby entries he is assessed as a one-win pacer, even though he has won four races.
The two Derby heats on February 22 will consist of 13 horses each and while Benny Mac is almost certain to be in that top 26, Dixon didn't want to take the chance.
"This race falls into his programme nicely and we are going there to win to take any guess work out of the Derby equation." Benny Mac was third to fellow Derby entry Matai Man in a far stronger field at Alexandra Park last start but Dixon expects him to be fitter tonight.
And he will be returning to his favourite track, with six starts at Cambridge bringing three wins and three placings.
To add to his statistical appeal, all four of his career wins have been over tonight's 2200m distance.
"At this stage I think he might be a shade better left-handed so with everything in his favour I'll be disappointed if he doesn't win," said Dixon.
That could start a big night for driver Peter Ferguson, who has made huge inroads into Mark Jones' lead on the national driver's premiership in the past week.
Ferguson will also partner tonight's star attraction, Harness Jewels winner Running On Faith in race six. She looks the best anchor in the $200,000 Pick6 after some gutsy recent runs at Alexandra Park.
Running On Faith may not be far behind glamour mare One Dream at her best, which makes you wonder how One Dream can compete in open class yet Running On Faith still gets beaten in minor races.
But the latter is still rebuilding her fragile confidence, something which seems to grow as she gets deeper into her campaigns.
She is also not yet a fast beginner from the mobile, with her early reluctance the only reason she is not a certainty tonight. Still, without bad luck she should win.
Other Pick6 anchors are hard to find but the third leg, race seven, looks to be a two-horse race between Belletti and Matai Man. After that punters may need to go wide to have a chance at snaring the jackpot.
BIG MAC
* Benny Mac looks the bet of the night at Cambridge tonight.
* Victory would secure him a spot in a prelude of the Woodlands Northern Derby.
* Tonight's meeting hosts a $200,000 Pick6 jackpot.
* Running On Faith looks the most likely anchor.
