Former Canterbury trotter Lyell Creek faces a tough draw - and a star rival - in his United States debut at the Meadowlands tomorrow.
Co-owner, trainer, and reinsman Anthony Butt plans to drive Lyell Creek as economically as possible from barrier seven in the $US35,000 ($85,500) Titan Cup elimination. The $US204,500 Titan Cup final will be run on Saturday week.
Butt's brother, Tim, said connections were hoping there would be only 10 nominations for the event, in which case there would be no elimination heat, and just the final would be run.
"He only has to beat one home to get in the final, so Ants is going to drive him cold in the elimination, and let him run home," Tim Butt said.
"He is there to win it if he can, but he will have to go back from that draw, and probably end up four or five back."
Tim Butt said top North American trotter Magician was the probable race leader - and winner - after drawing barrier two.
Magician, a six-year-old gelding by Royal Prestige, blazed to a one minute 52.4 second mile win on a rain-affected track in the $US208,750 Cutler Final at the Meadowlands last week.
But Lyell Creek will need plenty of luck to feature from his draw on Saturday. His connections are hoping the New Zealand champion has a change of luck with his barrier draw in the final.
"Ants said he is real happy with his condition," Butt said. "He had him checked out by a veterinarian when he got there, and they think he is in pretty good nick."
Lyell Creek was putting on weight again, only two days after arriving in New Jersey.
"It will be better for him to acclimatise over there," Butt said.
"I know when I went up to Scandinavia it took me a week to get used to the time difference and the conditions."
Lyell Creek is also now enjoying summer in North America and should be happier in a warmer climate.
Butt also has another crack at Meadowlands success this weekend with former Canterbury open-class pacer OK Oskar, who has drawn barrier six in a $US40,000 claimer.
OK Oskar, who has been in top form on the half-mile Freehold track in recent weeks, is now co-owned by Butt and Kaiapoi's Robin and Geraldine Wilson. OK Oskar was scheduled to make his Meadowlands debut last weekend, but had a setback.
- NZPA
Racing: Draw bogey follows Lyell to US
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