Racing: Big Mack is back

Fergiemack has a lot to live up to when he returns to racing at Alexandra Park tonight.

The exciting pacer is being touted as potentially the best of a vintage North Island three-year-old crop, with tonight's race a step toward next month's rich Sires' Stakes Final at Addington.

So that makes him the good thing of the month when he takes on maiden opponents tonight.

After pushing champion juvenile Gotta Go Cullen close on several occasions last season, when only manners cost him victory, Fergiemack could develop into the best of his crop this season.

But while trainer-driver Tony Herlihy is thrilled with the gelding's physical progress he has also been stunned by the quality of his rival's performances so far this season.

In the last month Gotta Go Cullen, Changeover, Montecito and Ebony Gem have all produced stunning comeback wins, raising the bar for Fergiemack tonight.

"I am very happy with my fella but he is going to need to be good because the other three-year-olds have looked sharp," said Herlihy.

"They are running the times already so I can see some great races coming up."

With the handicapping system meaning most juvenile wins are penalty-free, any class three-year-old coming back into the maiden grade should be a certainty.

And that is exactly what Fergiemack looks after drawing barrier four in race two tonight.

He demonstrated his readiness for his comeback with an easy win at the Pukekohe workouts 10 days ago.

Such is his reputation it would not surprise to see his rivals concede him the lead and the race, especially as Herlihy says Fergiemack has developed significantly from last season.

"He has filled out quite a lot and looks great," he said.

"He will be a run or two short of his best this week.

"He has to do things right too, although he was good at the workouts last week."

His reappearance will be the highlight of a low-key Alexandra Park meeting, where Herlihy should also strike late in the programme with Mountain Woman.

She produced a huge performance for fifth after galloping early in a similar race last Friday night and only needs to behave to return to the winner's circle.

Another high-class juvenile from last season, Running On Faith, should get punters off on the right note in the first race.

The Jeff Crouth-trained filly looked an Oaks prospect with three tough performances to start her career last season but was then a victim of the horrific Sires' Stakes Fillies crash in May.

Like Fergiemack, she comes back as a non-winner tonight and should be too good in the 1700m event, especially as she could be a key player in a very strong fillies crop this season.

Northern three-year-olds will also take centre stage at Addington tonight, where Changeover will start a hot favourite in the Sires' Stakes heat.

The Geoff Small-trained pacer could hardly have been more impressive when downing Gotta Go Cullen in a sizzling time in the Rising Stars two weeks ago.

On that occasion he came from back in a small field to win but with his gate speed he should dominate tonight's race and secure his place in the final on November 14.