Racing: Herlihy subdued despite hitting milestone

Tony Herlihy. Photo / Martin Sykes

There was a very understandable reason The Iceman was so cool at Alexandra Park last night.

Because champion driver Tony Herlihy knew that while his achievement in driving New Zealand career winner 3000 last night was special, it was not a time for exuberant celebrations.

Herlihy reached the rarest milestone in New Zealand racing when Veste led throughout in the Young Guns Fillies heat, justifying her big reputation and hot favouritism.

After two weeks stuck on 2999 it was fitting the win came in the colours of brother-in-law Mark Purdon, who has provided Herlihy with so many winners.

"I was hoping it would come in my colours, Barry's [Purdon] or Mark's, so it worked out well," said Herlihy.

"It is nice to get to the 3000 and I feel sorry for making people wait so long," he said with a smile.

But there was no whip flourish, no punching the air from Herlihy last night as he, like all New Zealanders, has been left stunned by the Christchurch earthquake.

Herlihy was in Christchurch during the quake and did not return to Auckland until Wednesday night.

"It has been a horrible week for so many people."