Racing: Melbourne bound

The $2.9 million trotting warrior Lyell Creek is currently in Auckland for a brief stay before travelling to Melbourne to inflict further punishment on Australian harness fans.

Lyell Creek, unbeaten in nine starts at Moonee Valley, will be in action at the premier Victorian track on December 18 in the $100,000 Australian Trotting Grand Prix.

The 11-year-old gelding arrived at the Takanini satellite stable of Tim Butt Friday afternoon in great order.

"Lyell Creek will most probably have a run at the Auckland trials next Saturday and then he's off to Melbourne for one race on December 18," Butt said.

"He'll then travel back to Auckland and have one race at Alexandra Park during the Auckland Cup Carnival.

"He's not the horse he was a few years ago so I have to be pretty careful with the amount of racing I can give him.

"The long term aim with him this season is the Inter Dominion Championship and Rowe Cup.

"With all the racing Lyell Creek has had his body is starting to feel things, but that hasn't dampened his competitive racing spirit."

With 56 wins and 21 placings from 104 starts, Lyell Creek, has been described as the greatest New Zealand-bred standardbred to grace a racetrack.