By MICHAEL GUERIN
Cool Hand Luke fans could have their hearts in their mouths in tonight's $75,000 Messenger Championship.
The four-year-old will start a warm favourite in the 2700m group one event after sitting three wide to win last Friday's Taylor Mile against similar opposition.
But tonight he has to start from one on the second line and trainer Mark Purdon has bad news for the faint-hearted.
Purdon will not be driving the horse after handing over the reins last start to champion driver Tony Herlihy but he has definite views on what option he expects Herlihy to take from the tricky draw.
"I think in this grade you can't pull back at the start because that is like giving away a 15m start," said Purdon.
"He is following out Dancingonmoonlight and while the decision is obviously Tony's I think he will push through on her back and take it from there.
"At worst that would leave him three deep for most of the trip but hopefully there will be a chance to get."
If anybody in harness racing can secure a horse a clear passage in a group one race it is Herlihy but even he will have his work cut out in a capacity field with a horse not noted for his sprinting prowess.
But if he does find space at the right time then Cool Hand Luke deserves to be favourite after developing into the best of his age in the country as key rival Stars And Stripes has struggled to regain his brilliant best.
That is not to say Stars And Stripes can not return to winning form tonight.
He was not suited by having to move earlier than driver Ken Barron would have liked in the Taylor Mile last week but will be driven to utilise his blistering sprint tonight and if the pace is on, which is usually the case in the Messenger, then his swooping style could be ideal.
Tupelo Rose looks set to lead early and will be hard to run down at each way odds while the dark horse could be Quick Tip.
He ran on well against the markers after getting pushed back to last in the Taylor Mile and is another who would be suited by a hard run 2700m tonight.
"I know it is easy to look good running home late against the markers but I was very happy with his run last week," said driver Brent Mangos.
"He has a great finish and if we are able to bide our time when they go hard then get a crack at them he can win. Either way I think he will be a good chance to run in three."
Racing: Draw against Luke
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