Racing: Herlihy favoured to retain title

New Zealand harness racing trainer and driver Tony Herlihy. Photo / Martin Sykes

How the tables have turned in a week.

Halfway through last Friday night's meeting at Alexandra Park, David Butcher had won two races, looked a certainty in one to come and with Tony Herlihy winless for the night, Butcher was cruising away with the Streamline Freight Alexandra Park driver's premiership.

What happened? Butcher's certainty All Tiger was checked out of his race, Herlihy won two of the last four races and now the pair head to the final meeting of the season level on 42 wins at The Park this season.

And with Herlihy having by far the stronger book he now looks likely to retain his title at King of the Park, and the $1500 prize that goes with it.

"I really thought going into last Friday, David might get too may wins up on me but that is the way it goes sometime and I think I have a good chance now," said Herlihy. He has good chances in Magnum Opus (race two), Exceptional Cullen (race four), Motu Young Jacob (race five) and Diedre's Flash (race nine), while Statesman (race one) and Another Impact (race eight) could upset.

"It is a good book without any of them standing out but I thought Magnum Opus would be tough.

"Motu Young Jacob and Diedre's Flash are both good trotters while Exceptional Cullen found the line well last week and gets a decent start on All Tiger. And Statesman wouldn't be the worst in the first, although it is quite a wide draw for a juvenile."

Butcher realises his chance of winning the Park premiership might have disappeared, with one of his weaker books for some time tonight.

All Tiger is the standout horse of the meeting but faces a 60m handicap, a mark no pacer has won off at Alexandra Park for years.

"Horses like Just On Time, Speedstar, Sunny's Bar, Lighting Magic and Parisian Nightlife all have chances but they will need luck because they probably can't work and still win.

"And while Mighty Creation won well last week he is up against Cullens Crown, who is racing too well so I think we will struggle to beat him.

"So I'm going to be flat out staying in front of Tony."

Mark Purdon and Grant Payne will win the track's training premiership, while Simon Lawson will take the junior driver's honours.