By MICHAEL GUERIN
The champ was fast but not fast enough at Cambridge last night.
Lyell Creek smashed another national record with a typically crushing win in the $17,500 Flying Stakes but did not get within sight of the 1:54.6 world record mile rate needed for a $25,000 bonus.
Not that there wasn't enough pressure on the champ to push him to a record as arch-rival Mountain Gold made him work for this win.
Mountain Gold easily crossed Lyell Creek out of the mobile, the latter's driver Anthony Butt choosing not to get involved in the early fireworks.
But he was soon up challenging for the lead and when he found that position with a lap to go the race was over.
Mountain Gold battled gamely for second but it was a chase in vain as Lyell Creek rated a national record 1:59.1 for the 1700m, 4.5 seconds outside the bonus time.
The win continued his relentless march toward becoming New Zealand's first millionaire trotter and could also be the last time he races in his solely in his present ownership.
While main owner Graham Bruton was sworn to secrecy last night it appears an initiative to publicly syndicate a share in the champion may be about to come to fruition, with an announcement to that effect expected this weekend.
While last night at Cambridge was the Lyell Creek show, earlier in the evening Ouch won his first race in over a year after a perfect drive from Brent Mangos in the $35,000 Waikato Times Flying Mile.
Ouch has occasionally disappointed Mark Purdon since joining him this season but indicated what a force he could be in the United States - where he is owned and is destined to finish his career - by clocking a 1:56.2 mile.
Mangos, driving in the best form of his career, managed to get Ouch three deep from the outside of the front line and hooked off the rails at the 300m to challenge leader Cigar.
The latter should have been able to hold on after an easy middle 800m sectional but found his new stablemate too strong, with southern mare Kym's Girl battling on up the passing lane for third.
Cigar's slow middle section put paid to any chance of a bonus being paid for Scuse Me's 1:53.5 national record being broken.
The win took Ouch to class nine and he will now head to the summer carnival in Victoria, where his first start will be a clash with Yulestar in the Ballarat Cup two weeks tonight.
But last night's victory should have been enough to earn him a place in the $A250,000 Victoria Cup, which is set to draw a sensational field on February 10.
That quinella started another huge night for Purdon, who went on to quinella the night's richest race, the $40,000 Elliot Futurity with Cool Hand Luke and Champagne Party.
The favourite sat back during an early speed duel between key rivals Falcon Rise and Quick Tip and worked into the race with a lap to run before simply outstaying his rivals.
"It was a great staying effort and he shouldn't have too many problem making it the rest of the way to open class," said Purdon.
Racing: Lyell Creek beats field but goes at own pace,
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