Racing: Derby first for leading horseman

Excellence in the sport of harness racing has figured prominently in the career of South Auckland horseman Tony Herlihy.

Herlihy is undisputed driving king in New Zealand and is also a highly accomplished trainer.

He enjoyed a career first at Addington on Friday night when kicking home 3-year-old Badlands Bute for a stylish victory in the $100,000 (Group One) New Zealand Derby.

It was a classic big race drive from Herlihy that clinched the victory as he punched the well-balanced colt straight to front during the early stages of the event before trailing Ewie Duncan.

Badlands Bute was shuffled back to three deep on the inner with a lap to run but unleashed a blistering home stretch sprint along the passing lane to gun down the gallant Baileys Dream and win by a length.

A further length away third was Ewie Duncan.

The 2600 metres was covered in 3.13 (mile rate 1.59.4) with closing 800 metre and 400 metre sectionals of 57.3 seconds and 28.7 seconds.

The first three home were in that order against the pylons for the closing lap, underlining the importance of securing a handy on-the-pace sit at Addington Raceway.

"It was always my intention to put his handy draw to good use as he has high gate speed and things worked out really well for us," said Herlihy. "We were able to get the front then Ken [Barron, trainer-driver of Ewie Duncan] came around and he wanted to lead so I was happy to trail him.

"I was a little worried when we ended up three back with a lap to run but they were running along that strongly in front that I knew we'd get a run at the leaders at some point.

"The leader [Baileys Dream] ran out at the top of the home stretch and we were able to dive down into the passing lane and he [Badlands Bute] is a very good follower of the speed who has a real sharp sprint at the end of his races.

"This horse has done a great job this season as it takes a top 3-year-old to win the Great Northern and New Zealand Derbies.

"A lot of the credit for the win must go to trainers Robert Mitchell and Ray Green as they've got this horse to peak at the right time of the season and win two Derby races. It seems a little funny that this is the first New Zealand Derby that I've won but sometimes in this industry you just have a run of misses in some races."

Herlihy has earned the nickname "The Iceman" for his calm temperament on race night.

It makes no difference to Herlihy if he is driving in a $4000 event at New Plymouth or a $750,000 event at Alexandra Park as he does not get caught up in the media hype.

Herlihy travelled to Sydney in 1991 to drive Christopher Vance in the Miracle Mile and in the plane was a pair of New Zealand harness racing journalists.

Driving tactics for Australasia's premier sprint feature were discussed - briefly - as Herlihy was having a far more enjoyable time reading the comic section of a newspaper.

The Miracle Mile field contained an outstanding line-up including Westburn Grant, Chokin, Franco Tiger and Defoe.

The typically dry reply from Herlihy about Miracle Mile driving tactics summed up his temperament.

"I'm not worried about the other drivers, it's how I drive my horse that really matters," said Herlihy.

Christopher Vance settled last before sprinting four wide around the field at the 400 metres to burn off Defoe and Westburn Grant.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY