Racing: Chance to increase title lead

The biggest certainty at Cambridge tonight is that Tony Herlihy's stranglehold on the drivers' premiership will only get tighter.

The Iceman already looks unbeatable in the premiership after a dazzling summer which has left him on 60 wins, 16 clear of nearest rival Maurice McKendry.

That figure should increase tonight, with Herlihy having winning chances in at least five races.

The best of them should be Born Again Christian in the night's $30,000 feature the Cambridge Classic while he has well-drawn winning chances in the night's two other main races.

Born Again Christian comes into the 2200m mobile event off the back of a disappointing sixth in the A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire in Sydney four weeks ago.

The gelding was heavily backed in that race but didn't perform up to the form that made him the intermediate grade star of the New Zealand and Auckland Cup carnivals.

But Herlihy knows Born Again Christian is better than he showed in Sydney and expects him to prove it tonight.

"He was racing super before Sydney but just felt a bit flat there," said Herlihy. "But I drove Maheer Lord against him at the workouts last Saturday and thought he looked well. From barrier three he will get his chance and I think he will be hard to catch."

The handy draw gives Born Again Christian the chance to press for the lead, or, at worst, race handy, always a crucial component at Cambridge.

As some of his key rivals have drawn badly and others lack recent race fitness it is hard to envisage much mid-race pressure so Born Again Christian may get the chance to steal the race.

His biggest rival should be Winforu, who has a superb record at Cambridge and the gate speed to use barrier one.

He had no luck in the open class mile there two weeks ago but should lead or trail tonight, making him the clear danger to the favourite.

While Born Again Christian will be the most favoured of Herlihy's winning chances, he also rates the hopes of Hi Ho Silver Lining (race four) Backseat Dreamer (race six), Aboycalledsu (race seven) and Ideal Lavros (race 10).

Hi Ho Silver Lining was impressive overcoming a wide draw at Alexandra Park last start.

Her task in tonight's first northern heat of the Nevele R series has been made easier by the scratching of Badabing Badaboom with a sore hoof.

That gives Hi Ho Silver Lining the chance to control the race from the front line, boosting her hopes of beating the in-form Elite Belle.

"Elite Belle will be very hard to beat because she is going great races but I think my filly will be right in at the finish."

The pair should dominate the race in which In the Mist looks the only other winning prospect.

Aboycalledsu will make his debut in Herlihy's hands in the Sires Stakes heat for juveniles and has a big reputation to live up to.

He was one of the star lots at last September's Ready To Run sale and has been winning at the workouts.

"He is a lovely horse but he still has a lot to learn, as they always do before they race.

"But in saying that he has been good off the gate at the workouts so I think he will be able to stay handy from the draw.

"I can see him going a good race."

Backseat Dreamer may not be in a feature race but he will be of a lot of interest to punters because his race is the first leg of Pick6.

He bolted in after leading at Alexandra Park last start and while he is up in grade tonight his race is not overly strong.

Backseat Dreamer has to be a good chance because he won well last start and has gone on with the job.

Main man

Tony Herlihy looks the driver to follow at Cambridge tonight.

He has well-drawn chances in the three feature races.

The main race is the $30,000 Cambridge Classic.

There is a $50,000 Pick6.