Racing: Delft doing it the hard way

Just six days ago Delft produced the trotting performance of the season - tonight things get even tougher.

The giant trotter stunned everybody by smashing the national 2700m record at Alexandra Park last Saturday when bolting away with the $50,000 National Trot.

After a season of frustration it was a timely reminder that at the top of his game Delft could be the best trotter in the country.

But just when things have started to go right they could revert to another bad luck story in the Flying Stakes at Cambridge tonight, a fact driver Tony Herlihy is acutely aware of.

Herlihy was in awe of Delft's performance last Saturday when he ran arch-rivals Pompallier and Allegro Agitato - who take him on tonight - off their hooves.

"It was a super run because he seemed to be jogging all the way," said Herlihy.

"He felt more like his old self and if he can hold that form he will be hard to beat in any race."

Herlihy says while ability won't be a concern tonight, Delft's barrier draw is.

He has drawn barrier one on the second line, following out What Ever You Like, while key rivals Allegro Agitato and Pompallier have front-line draws.

"I am not saying he can't win but he is going to need some luck," admitted the champion driver.

"No matter how good you are, second-line draws in any sprint race are very hard to overcome, especially at Cambridge."

Herlihy says he will not know exactly how to handle the draw until he sees how his rivals react in the score-up but pulling back to last may not be the best move.

"If you are last in a sprint race then you are going to have to be three wide for a long way at some stage to get handy enough to win.

"But being three deep on the markers could be tricky as well.

"So we are going to need some luck. If we get it he can win because he trotted so well last week.

"If he doesn't then the other two [Allegro Agitato and Pompallier] may get too much of a break on him."

Allegro Agitato was too bad to believe for a mare of her ability when she faded to fifth as a hot favourite in the National Trot last Saturday.

Herlihy has actually been looking after the mare for trainer Phil Williamson and says she struggled with her return to the right-handed Alexandra Park track.

"Usually she is good as gold at Alexandra Park but she hadn't raced there for so long and she was striking her legs quite badly in behind.

"She came back to the stables with marks all over her bandages so I think we can forgive her that performance.

"She hasn't taken any harm from the run and I think she will be all right back to a left-handed track."

Allegro Agitato has the advantage of drawing inside Pompallier and with her gate speed should be able to work forward early.

If she can reach she will be near impossible to catch as she has a superb sprint record.

Pompallier has been the most consistently excellent trotter in the country this season, with his second in the National Trot a gutsy performance.

His best chance would be if Allegro Agitato was made to work early and then he could slide up to be in a challenging position without using too much energy.

Either way he looks the best each-way bet in the race.

The chances don't end there though, with Martina H also nearing her best form after some fine performances at the Auckland Cup carnival.

Her biggest concern may be the left-handed track, something she has struggled with in the latter stages of her career.

* Herlihy suggests That's Life Lavra as his best winning chance of a busy night tonight.

The mare was good enough to down Albert Patron in an outstanding race at Alexandra Park last Saturday and drops in grade to take on mares in race five tonight.

The race is restricted to mares who have won seven races or less, meaning That's Life Lavra just scrapes into the race.

"She has to be a good chance because this field isn't as strong as the ones she has been racing in," said Herlihy.

"It is not going to be easy from the second line but at least the tighter assessed horses are also drawn back there so there should be some moves in the race."

Tonight's meeting also sees the first feature juvenile race of the season, the $17,500 Te Awamutu Stakes.

It has attracted five South Island-trained pacers, including the favourite Flak Jacket, who won a weak race here on debut on December 24.

There will, however, be a lot of interest in the debut of Gotta Go Cullen, who has looked a very talented pacer at the northern trials.