By MICHAEL GUERIN
It is one compliment the Auckland Trotting Club can do without.
The club's rejuvenated Auckland Cup meeting has received a vote of confidence from the owner of New Zealand's greatest standardbred but it could cost Alexandra Park patrons too many more chances to see Lyell Creek in the flesh.
The champion trotter is pleasing trainer Tim Butt as his new campaign starts to speed up and will be back racing in September.
But owner Graham Bruton says most of the trotting races at the Auckland Cup carnival are so competitive Lyell Creek may bypass them.
Bruton, better known as Steel Balls, has spoken to numerous clubs throughout the country as he attempts to plan Lyell Creek's campaign.
His main aims are the Dominion Handicap at the New Zealand Cup meeting and the Australasian Trotters Championships at Moonee Valley in February before his extended northern hemisphere campaign.
But before heading to Europe next March Lyell Creek could have at least 10 New Zealand starts, with many clubs bending over backwards to attract the champ.
"Clubs like Kaikoura have put on free-for-alls to get them at their meeting because they want their racegoers to see a champion," said Bruton.
Because of his unbeaten season Lyell Creek faces huge marks in any handicap races he contests and already Cambridge have indicated they are likely to host two trotting free-for-alls over the Christmas holiday period to attract Lyell Creek.
And while he would love Lyell Creek to return to Alexandra Park, Bruton admits the Auckland Cup carnival may be a victim of its own strength.
The carnival was moved this season from its traditional holiday period slot to before Christmas.
The move proved a programming master stroke, allowing more breathing space for trainers before heading to the rich Moonee Valley summer carnival.
In the trotting events it brought together the likes of Lyell Creek, Special Force, Sundon's Way, Merinai, Africa and the rest of New Zealand's outstanding trotters.
"That was great for the club but when you get fields that strong it makes it very hard for the backmarkers," said Bruton.
"Really you would have to say they are the strongest trotting fields of the year and while that is great for the club and punters it might not be the best for Lyell, particularly with his overseas campaign in mind."
The Auckland Cup meeting still hosts a $40,000 trotting free-for-all which Lyell Creek would be likely to contest if he is in the north.
"But I think any handicap races up there will be too tough."
Auckland Trotting Club officials won't be getting too worried about possibly missing Lyell Creek from a race or two just yet.
This season the connections of Christian Cullen and Courage Under Fire changed their tentative programmes several times before Courage Under Fire ended up making his sole New Zealand appearance of the season at Alexandra Park.
Along with the outstanding trotting fields and Courage Under Fire, the carnival attracted Miracle Mile winner Holmes D G, New Zealand Cup winner Homin Hosed, Victoria Cup winner Breeny's Fella, Hunter Cup winner Yulestar, Easter Cup winner Facta Non Verba and four-time Derby winner Stars And Stripes, making it clearly the stronger of New Zealand's two major harness racing carnivals.
Racing: Lyell Creek may bypass Auckland
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