Racing: Change of tactics on cards

Two thoughts comfort history-making trainer Michelle Wallis as she contemplates tonight's $100,000 Rowe Cup.

The first is how her number one seed, Delft, felt during his final beach workout on Wednesday.

The second is a quick study of his performances this season.

Wallis will become the first female trainer to have three starters in a group one race in New Zealand with Delft joined by Paris Metro and Young Pointer in tonight's Alexandra Park feature.

While all have group one form, Delft is by far her best chance and should start favourite, even after costing punters plenty when failing in three of his last four starts.

The latest was at Alexandra Park last Friday when he appeared to be cruising before he rolled into a gallop on the home bend.

Wallis was willing to forgive that indiscretion after Delft worked superbly on the beach on Wednesday.

"I don't know what happened last Friday and I suppose it is a bit of a concern but the way he worked Wednesday I couldn't be happier with him," she said.

"He trotted as good as he has at any stage of the season."

While that boosted Wallis's confidence so too did a look back through the giant trotter's record this season, in which he has gone from a forgotten two-win horse to Interdominion favourite.

"In all 12 starts this season no horse has run past him in the home straight," said Wallis.

"He may not do everything right but he is always the one running on the best.

"So if he can get handy I have no doubts he will run the 3200m out better than most of them."

That trend also suggests a change of driving tactics from Tony Herlihy, who may be keen to get handy if Delft can make a safe beginning and force his rivals to catch him.

For all Delft's ability it won't be quite that easy, with some key rivals - Pompallier, Martina H and Rosscoe - getting a headstart.

But few of them appear able to lead and win over 3200m so Delft may get his chance to press for the pacemaking role from where he would be extremely hard to catch.

Either way, on his best behaviour, he is the horse to beat tonight.

While much of the hype before the race will centre around retiring champion Lyell Creek he is likely to be under the odds at a time when he is not racing at his best form.

So the biggest danger to Delft, and possibly the best each-way bet in the race, should be Pompallier.

He defied fitness concerns to win the lead-up last Friday and appears to have been strengthened mentally and physically by his Interdominion experience.

He should race close to the pace and ran on well in the Dominion Handicap in November, suggesting the 3200m holds few fears for him.

Allegro Agitato is a logical winning chance but has had so little experience from standing starts in the last year that she is impossible to back with confidence. If she trots away though she becomes a serious contender.

Another daughter of Sundon, Martina H, is always a chance in these type of races, especially tonight as she made up so much ground after a rare early gallop last Friday.

With her usual fast beginning she could race close to the pace and few here have the ability to run past her.

Rosscoe is good enough to win but still doesn't appear to be trotting as well as he was last season and would need a lot to go his way tonight.

Major Decision, Young Pointer and Lanson have place chances while Interdominion champion Play On faces a huge task but tends to race back in the field so his 10m handicap may not be a massive disadvantage if the speed is on throughout.

And then back on the 15m mark is old Lyell. If he can win in the last race of his career most punters will be willing to cop their losses and simply cheer him home.

Rowe Cup

* The $100,000 group one Rowe Cup highlights tonight's Alexandra Park meeting.

* It is the last race of New Zealand's richest-ever standardbred, Lyell Creek.

* He faces a huge task against Delft, Allegro Agitato, Pompallier and Martina H.

* Tonight's meeting also features the last race of the season for pacing hero Elsu.