By MICHAEL GUERIN
Forget tactics, forget barrier draws, Lyell Creek will just win at Addington today.
That was the call from driver Anthony Butt yesterday as he prepared for the $50,000 Air New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All.
Lyell Creek will be chasing his 21st consecutive win in the first leg of an open class double and will be a $1.05 win shot.
It would appear the only possible chance of his defeat could be if he was crossed out of the gate from the ace.
Then he would have to get locked away on the markers and be unable to find his way clear.
Butt says that just will not happen today.
"I know there are horses in the field with more gate speed than him but I have never really asked Lyell to leave the gate before," said Butt.
"I don't think he will be the fastest out today. But if he doesn't hold the lead then I would expect only one, possibly Sundowner Bay, to be able to cross him and lead.
"That would give us the trail and I know how fast he can sprint."
Lyell Creek proved that at the Rangiora trials last Wednesday when he came from six lengths behind Sundowner Bay at the 400m to run him to a nose.
"He is just getting better and better all the time and he should simply win."
That will provide punters with their Pick Six anchor.
Earlier in the day Young Rufus faces a similar situation in the 3-year-old race.
He too may not have the gate speed to hold the lead from the ace but will still be a commanding favourite after a stunning second to Franco Heir in the Sires' Stakes Final on Tuesday.
He did not handle the final bend well when trying to sprint three wide but should not have to negotiate a similar course today.
The danger could be if speedster Niobium finds the front early from barrier two.
From there he could hand up to stablemate City Rogue, which would make Young Rufus's job an unenviable one.
Racing: Lyell Creek just looks too good
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