Racing: Keep an eye on southerners

Mid Canterbury driver Ricky May might be one of the greatest reinsmen this country has produced but he sees his role as more of a babysitter at Alexandra Park tonight.

May, one of only three drivers to pilot more than 2000 winners in this country, will partner warm favourites Stylish Monarch (race one) and Harley Earl (race eight).

While both horses have a class edge on most of their rivals they face the dual challenges of having their first Alexandra Park starts tonight and having far bigger goals looming.

Stylish Monarch has emerged as a genuine Rowe Cup contender after winning the NZ Trotting Championships last start, while Harley Earl is good enough to earn serious money in the Taylor Mile and Messenger in the next fortnight.

So while May knows both horses can win he is also looking ahead in his own ultra-conservative way.

"I think Stylish Monarch will handle the track because he is a very laid-back, professional horse," said May. "But my first job is to get him comfortable because he is up here for bigger races.

"I think he can win but off 30m behind I am not going to be doing anything silly, the first job will be to get him around and then I'll drive him how he feels from there."

Those comments will not instil great confidence in punters wanting to take short odds about Stylish Monarch in tonight's opener.

While he would win with a peak performance, any chinks in his armour exposed by his first race right-handed could be exploited by Ima Gold Digger, Featherflight, Jumanji Franco or even the greatly improved Meander With Earl.

Harley Earl will be joined by fellow class South Island 4-year-old Vi Et Animo in making his Alexandra Park debut in race eight and the pair face difficult handicaps.

Vi Et Animo has already proved he is headed for open-class, winning the Invercargill Cup two starts ago and is suited by the small field tonight.

May is adamant Harley Earl is also headed for the big time.

"He is a pretty good horse, I'd rate him as good as Second Wind, said May of the other highly-promising 4-year-old he has been driving this season.

But again May sees a problem.

"He [Harley Earl] can be a bit funny from a stand and if he is slow I won't be doing anything silly on him.

"His main aims are the two 4-year-old races over the next few weeks and I think he races best fresh so we don't want him having a really hard run."

That opens the door for rivals, like Reklaw's Chance and He's My Hero, with the latter looking back to his brilliant best when winning in easier company last Friday.

The other feature of tonight's meeting is the $30,000 Country Cups Championships in which Percy The Punter will start a warm favourite after an easy Taranaki victory last Sunday.

He could meet stiff opposition from Dash, who easily beat him in the Hawera Cup two weeks ago.

Dash led and ran his rivals off their hooves that day but had the advantage of a 10m start over Percy The Punter, whereas tonight they start off the same mark.

That should be enough to turn the tables but Dash is a rugged stayer when at his best and he will take a power of catching if he can lead.

SOUTHERN STARS
* Stylish Monarch, Harley Earl and Vi Et Animo make their Alexandra Park debuts tonight.
* Punters are always wise to be careful when southern horses strike the right-handed track for the first time.
* Driver Ricky May agrees Stylish Monarch and Harley Earl face big challenges off their handicaps tonight.
* Percy The Punter will start favourite in the Country Cups Final.