An old friendship forged through great horses convinced New Zealand driving great Tony Herlihy to make the trek to Waikouaiti today.
Herlihy is the country's most successful driver in history, reining home more than 3200 winners since he first saluted behind Gymea Gold at Cambridge in January 1978.
Harness Racing New Zealand statistics show that Herlihy has driven winners at 40 tracks around New Zealand - including two wins with Clever Dillon at Forbury Park in 1991 - but he is yet to visit some of the tracks in Otago.
That status will change for Waikouaiti today, as Herlihy takes part in the "youth versus experience" drivers' challenge, along with 11 other drivers from New Zealand and Australia. When Bruce Negus rang Herlihy about the concept, Herlihy had a fair idea that he would be considered one of the experienced group.
"I figured that's where I'd be," Herlihy laughed. "I drove Courage [Under Fire] for him a couple of times, so it was great of him to ask me to do it."
