By MICHAEL GUERIN
Two words are playing on driver Ken Barron's mind as he looks forward to tonight's Great Northern Derby with Stars And Stripes - Christian Cullen.
Not that Barron and Stars And Stripes will be clashing with Christian Cullen in the $100,000 classic. But that champion pacer reminds Barron of how even the best can get beaten in a Derby.
"I remember Christian Cullen being beaten here two years ago," said the Ashburton reinsman yesterday.
"He had to move around in the middle stages, got pushed back when other horses came around, and only ran third. That goes to show that you need the right run to win a Derby."
The Christian Cullen scenario will be especially relevant to Barron tonight as Stars And Stripes will start a red hot favourite after a string of stunning wins against those he meets tonight.
Helping shorten those odds is Stars And Stripes' draw of two but Barron says that could be more of a concern than an advantage.
Stars And Stripes is best when not used early and has never been in front early in a race or trial.
"That is what worries me. I would hate to settle in the one-one or three back on the outer and then get pushed back when the horses from the back start coming around."
So Stars And Stripes' supporters can expect to see Barron keeping an eye out for Mark Purdon on second favourite Cool Hand Luke to try and ensure he moves before Purdon.
While Barron is taking a cautious approach - an understandable reaction from a man who has never driven in a Derby - the reality of tonight's race is the two favourites look vastly superior to their rivals.
Stars And Stripes was a dazzling winner on his Alexandra Park debut 13 days ago and won't be troubled by the 2700m. He has a sharper sprint than Cool Hand Luke and far greater experience, which could be the crucial difference tonight.
Cool Hand Luke was easily beaten by Stars And Stripes in their only two clashes but Purdon has freshened him and was confident of getting closer to him tonight.
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Lyell Creek will have to buck another tradition tonight.
The exceptional trotter has no respect for the good old days when trotters simply didn't win the Dominion Handicap at their 12th start or blow away Interdom champs, first time from a mobile and on a new track, at their 13th.
But it seems every time he steps on to the track there is a different challenge for Lyell Creek.
In tonight's Challenge Stakes he will have to give away starts of up to 20m which should make it impossible for even him to reach his favoured pacemaking role in his usual effortless fashion.
That doesn't worry driver Anthony Butt who believes Lyell Creek will be just as good driven with a sit.
Lyell Creek's incredible win last Friday assures him of hot favourit- ism but be warned - no South Island horse has won the Challenge Stakes in the past 20 years.
Racing: Derby no one-horse race
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