KEY POINTS:
Champion driver Tony Herlihy isn't letting three potentially disastrous draws worry him going into tonight's major races at Alexandra Park.
Herlihy will partner Gotta Go Cullen (barrier eight), Alexis (seven) and Eyecatcher Courage (six) in the age group features at tonight's meeting and all three will be among the favourites.
But they will also all need luck, with high quality, race-fit opponents drawn inside them.
Herlihy says each horse may have its own way of overcoming the draws.
Gotta Go Cullen has drawn the outside of the front line in the strongest 4-year-old race of the season but has the gate speed to counter that.
"He can be aggressive behind the gate and if he is like that then I will just go with him," said Herlihy.
"He is still on the way up because he had about a week off after winning the Auckland Cup but he has been working well and will still be hard to beat."
Herlihy was stunned by the northern debut Alexis made from his stable last Friday and says barrier seven may not be a bad thing for the juvenile filly in tonight's $133,000 Caduceus Club Classic.
"She showed me some real speed last week and I must say I was impressed," said Herlihy.
"Sure, she has some good horses drawn inside her this week but going back at the start may not be a bad thing over 2200m.
"This means we won't have to change our tactics and have to try something new."
Alexis has to overcome Hemisphere, the promising Southland filly who has won two of her three starts and looks the one to beat if she can stay handy from the ace draw.
Herlihy will partner Eyecatcher Courage against Lizzie Maguire in the $150,000 Pascoes Northern Oaks and says at least he has drawn inside the favourite.
"Lizzie Maguire is a very good filly who will take a lot of beating, but I think Eyecatcher Courage will improve a lot on last week."
Last Friday, Eyecatcher Courage won a Nevele R heat - minus Lizzie Maguire - but showed inexperience when pulling up near the line.
She won't be able to do that tonight, with rival trainer Gareth Dixon confident Lizzie Maguire will be back to her best after defeat in a strong field last Friday.
"She has worked great this week and I think we will see the best of her on Friday," said Dixon.
