By MICHAEL GUERIN
Peter Jones has a hard act to follow if he answers an SOS to drive Tupelo Rose at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.
Jones is on stand-by to partner the former New Zealand Filly of the Year in the $A50,000 Ladyship Cup after trainer-driver Ted Demmler was suspended for a month last Saturday.
Demmler may appeal so he can drive Tupelo Rose on Saturday and in the $A100,000 Queen of the Pacific a week later.
But should he choose not to appeal, Canterbury-based Jones is the likely replacement.
"Her United States owners would like Peter to drive Tupelo Rose if Ted can not," said Tupelo Rose's Auckland-based manager John Curtin.
Jones had not been told of the prospect last night but admits he has a hard act to follow.
The last time he drove Tupelo Rose they bolted away with the group one New Zealand Messenger at Alexandra Park on March 30.
And even more impressively, the last time he drove at Moonee Valley he produced a stunning display of reinsmanship to get Desperate Comment home in the 1996 Victoria Cup after being near-last at the 800m mark.
"I would love to go drive Tupelo Rose if the chance arrives because she is a class mare," said Jones.
Among Tupelo Rose's rivals will be Pukekohe mare Dancingonmoonlight, who landed a huge betting plunge at Moonee Valley last Saturday night when also driven by Demmler.
Under the preferential barrier draws this week the Steven Reid-trained mare has drawn one in the Ladyship Cup and will be one of the favourites in the hands of Brent Mangos.
Dancingonmoonlight inflicted one of Tupelo Rose's rare defeats last season, in the New South Wales Oaks.
Pukekohe trotting filly Martina H fared well in the draw for the $A30,000 Victoria Oaks, securing the ace for a race she should win.
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New Zealand's two New South Wales Derby hopes have fared far differently in the draw for this Friday's preludes.
New Zealand Derby winner Young Rufus will be at very short odds after drawing a poor field in his prelude.
But perennial placegetter City Rogue has not fared so well in the other prelude.
He must start from four on the second line against superstar Franco Heir, who looks a certain leader and winner from barrier four.
Young Rufus and City Rogue have trialled well in preparation for the trip, with Young Rufus giving older rivals a big start and a beating at the Ashburton trials last week.
"I was happy with his times but more happy with the way he drove, which is the best he has driven since last October," said trainer-driver Mark Purdon of Young Rufus's hanging tendencies.
While City Rogue has been consistent in the best classes all season, Young Rufus has more raw talent and he looks the best hope of continuing New Zealand's incredible recent record in the New South Wales Derby on Friday week.
Stars And Stripes, Courage Under Fire, Holmes D G, Franco Hat Trick, Il Vicolo have helped New Zealand win five of the last six NSW Derbys.
But this season Young Rufus and City Rogue face a stronger than usual Australian three-year-old crop headed by Manifold Bay and Franco Heir.
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Lyell Creek's fifth in Norway on Sunday (Monday morning NZ time) has done little to affect his odds for the $900,000 Elitlopp on Sunday week.
He has drifted from $7 to $8 with Australian giant Centrebet, who regularly bet on major Scandinavian trotting races.
Victory Tilly, who finished just one spot ahead of Lyell Creek, is still the $2.50 favourite for the Elitlopp, ahead of Varenne ($3.25)and Etain Royal ($6).
Remarkably, Giant Cat who beat Victory Tilly, Etain Royal and Lyell Creek on Sunday is rated a $25 chance in the Elitlopp.
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A horse who knows all about the Elitlopp will be in slightly different surroundings in the coming weeks.
Interdominion champion Special Force raced in a heat of the Elitlopp in 1999 but failed to make the final.
And this year he will be at Alexandra Park.
Co-trainer Dave McGowan is aiming Special Force at two feature races at The Park in early June because he fears turning him out after his outstanding third in the Interdom Final.
"We might as well race him because he is so well if I put him in the paddock he would hurt himself."
Racing: Jones may return to scene of his incredible cup win
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