KEY POINTS:
Most trainers would have looked at the draw for tonight's $100,000 Queen of Hearts and uttered a few little swear words.
Paul Kerr thought it was perfect.
Kerr's steamrolling mare Nick Off Holme has drawn barrier five in the 2700m mobile, which hardly sounds ideal when favourite It's Ella has drawn to lead from the ace.
But Kerr says he wouldn't swap draws with It's Ella under any circumstances.
"I wanted to draw in the middle of the front line because otherwise we risked being crossed at the start.
"Now we can control our own destiny."
Nick Off Holme did that twice at the New Zealand Cup carnival where she set a national 1950m mobile record when coming from near last before beating race rivals tonight, Foreal and It's Ella, fair and square on the last night of the carnival.
The latter was a dominant display and suggests Nick Off Holme has closed the gap on the glamour mares.
"I think there isn't much between them. They are all very good and no doubts It's Ella is the one to beat because she should lead or trail.
"But we beat her easily enough last start and we can do it again."
The crucial moment in tonight's group one event will be if Nick Off Holme looks for the pacemaking role, one near certain to be held by It's Ella.
If Ricky May hands up on It's Ella then he will get the passing lane and it is hard to see any mare outside the first two having a winning chance.
But if Nick Off Holme is refused the front then the race opens up, with the likelihood of more final lap pressure bringing the likes of Foreal into play.
"The one thing we can't afford is to have it turn into a sprint home. We want the pace on a fair way from home," admits Kerr.
While Nick Off Holme is racing at least as well as It's Ella and Foreal, the latter pair could be shorter on the tote.
It's Ella is certain to be favourite after her easy win in fast time at Addington last Thursday, with punters sure to have been woken up to her blazing gate speed by recent starts.
If she gets an easy time in front it is hard to see her beaten.
Foreal raced like a tired mare during the Cup carnival but has bounced back well since and may get out to reasonable each way odds for one of her ability tonight. She is, after all, an Interdominion placegetter and capable of a huge performance if the pace is on.
The older South Island mares won't have things all their own way though, with exceptional four-year-olds One Dream and Running On Faith in the line-up along with Bachelorette.
One Dream has long looked an open class talent but she is fresh-up tonight and faces the worst possible draw.
That may be enough to see her driven cold, circumstances under which her connections believe she is capable of something special.
Tonight she may need to be.
Running On Faith is a great stayer and will love a hot pace but may still be on the way up after a slightly interrupted preparation.
Like One Dream she is headed for open class but tonight's opposition includes three mares who have already starred at that level.
The Lyell Creek is just one of a number of stunning support races on the premier programme.
In other highlights tonight, the three-year-old male pacers meet in the Northern Stakes and look for Fiery Falcon to improve on last Friday's second in a race where Benny Mac and West Coast Anvil will provide the value.
And the night's handicap pace sees Montecito face the biggest test of his season. He still looks the one to catch because of his race fitness.
