By MICHAEL GUERIN
There was good news and really bad news for the Lyell Creek team over the weekend.
New Zealand's champion trotter impressed with a fast fifth in his United States debut at The Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon (NZ time).
Lyell Creek did all the early work in his $35,000 heat of the Titan Cup and even though run down in the straight trotted 1:52.8, easily the fastest time ever run by a New Zealand trotter.
Driver Anthony Butt was thrilled with the performance after initially going into the heat hoping to drive the gelding cold.
But his recent experience against the lightning fast beginners in Scandinavia has obviously stirred Lyell Creek up and when he got very keen behind the mobile Butt let him roll out from barrier seven to sit parked and then lead.
"He was actually underdone for the race because we hadn't done much with him and I knew we only had to run in the first six to make the final," said Butt.
"I know he was easily beaten but to trot 1:52.8 when he still has improvement in him shows he is going to have a lot of fun up here.
"With a good draw and the right run he can win the Final."
Lyell Creek will race in the Titan Cup final next weekend and only needs a good draw to be competitive as the United States free-for-all trotting ranks look even and lack a champion.
But that is where the bad news comes in.
Lyell Creek's major assignment in the United States this season is the Nat Ray Trot and judging by Saturday's effort he would have been a chance - until it was announced yesterday world champion Varenne will now be starting in the race.
The unbelievable Italian trotter was in danger of missing his United States campaign until last week but he will now head to the States to race in both the Breeders Cup and Nat Ray.
Varenne was simply a class, or two, above his rivals, including Lyell Creek in last month's Elitlopp in Sweden. If Lyell Creek can trot 1:52.8 when not 100 per cent fit then Varenne looks ready to become the world's fastest ever trotter should he maintain his best form over the northern summer.
Varenne warms up for his United States campaign with a race in Milan, Italy tomorrow and another in Germany on July 8.
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While Lyell Creek was beaten but still impressive in the United States, New Zealand's leading pacing filly The Sparks Are Flying was beaten but unimpressive in Melbourne on Saturday night.
New Zealand's Filly of the Year was a disappointing third in the Victoria Oaks, clearly outshone by Queensland filly Cherry Cheer, who sat parked outside the Kiwi.
The Sparks Are Flying was perfectly driven by Mark Jones to reach the lead without too much effort in the middle stages and was cruising at the 400m point.
"She was bolting on the bend and I thought we were home but she found nothing when I asked her to go," said Jones.
"That is the first time she has let me down under pressure but we had no excuses."
The was New Zealand success earlier in the night when Facta Non Verba scored his second win in eight days in the night's feature pace.
Last season's Easter Cup winner bolted in after starting from a handicap and impressed Australia's leading driver Chris Alford.
"This is a pretty good horse and I think he is only going to get better as his campaign continues," said Alford.
Facta Non Verba will race in Victoria for another month before heading to the Queensland winter carnival in August.
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New Zealand trotter Supreme Pat had drawn first blood on the road to the Victoria Trotting Derby.
As many as five New Zealand 3-year-old trotters are expected to clash in the classic next month, with Martina H and All Action Son already in Victoria and Locofoco and Sunease likely to join them.
But Supreme Pat has an early advantage over his rivals as he cruised to an easy win in a fast time at Bendigo on Friday night.
Supreme Pat overcame a second line draw to sit parked before racing clear, with Pukekohe filly Martina H a solid third after being three wide for the last lap.
The victory was the first training success for trainer Shane Eeles, who used to work for Barry Purdon. Eeles backed up with his second training success at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.
"This horse has it all - speed, manners and toughness," said big-race driver Brian Gath.
Racing: Lyell impresses but clash with champ looms
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