KEY POINTS:
Tony Herlihy is hoping a gear change can turn Fergiemack from stargazer to Derby winner at Alexandra Park tonight.
The exceptional three-year-old pacer was surprisingly beaten in his prelude to the Woodlands Northern Derby last Friday, run down by Changeover after having an easy time in front.
While trainer-driver Herlihy was suitably impressed by Changeover's performance he also believes Fergiemack contributed to his own defeat.
"He lost concentration in the straight," said Herlihy.
"He was going well at the 400m but he spent most of the home straight looking for the other horses."
Herlihy will try and overcome that, and a potentially horror barrier draw, with the aid of pull down blinds tonight.
"I think they may sharpen him up and get his mind back on the job.
"And I also think he will be better for his run last Friday as he hadn't done much since the Victoria Derby."
While hardly thrilled about drawing the outside of the second line, Herlihy has been in enough Derbys to know the race often suits swoopers.
"It doesn't look great but if there is some pace on during the running it might work out all right."
Herlihy won't have to worry about the draw with Strike Up The Band in tonight's first feature race, the $50,000 Sales Series Graduate.
The unbeaten juvenile will start from barrier four and showed enough gate speed on debut to suggest he will be the horse to beat.
"He is a smart horse and can get off the gate a bit so I think he will be in the finish."
Strike Up The Band went down to race rival The Cavalier at the Alexandra Park trials last week but Herlihy expects him to improve.
"The other horse is pretty smart too and will take some beating but I am sure my fella will be better because he needed that outing last week."
Also on Herlihy's transporter heading to the track tonight will be everybody's Pick6 anchor, Allegro Agitato, who has been stabled with Herlihy in recent weeks.
New Zealand's best mobile-start trotter hasn't raced since January 5 but was impressive winning at the workouts at Alexandra Park last week.
"She seems very well and even though she might improve a bit with the race I think she is the one to beat from the draw."
