By MICHAEL GUERIN
Pick Six punters rest assured - there will be no repeat tonight of the shock defeat Lyell Creek suffered when he last started from behind the mobile.
That is the way premier driver and part-owner Anthony Butt is approaching tonight's $50,000 Gibson O'Connor National Trot, a crucial leg of the $125,000 Pick Six at Alexandra Park.
Lyell Creek will be an anchor for almost all Pick Six punters, just as he was in the corresponding race at Addington on Show last month.
That was the scene of one of New Zealand's great punting disasters as the champion was crossed out of the gate, got too stirred up, choked down and galloped just short of the finish.
He finished second, relegated to third and lost his chance to break the New Zealand record for consecutive wins. Punters just lost all their money.
Lyell Creek has since gone on to win the Dominion Handicap and Challenge Stakes off tough handicaps and Butt expects his new winning streak to continue tonight.
"He trotted the best he has all season here last week, in fact I think he trots better at Alexandra Park than he does down home," he said.
"I will try and keep him out of trouble early and then be in front or parked by the bell. I think if we can do that he will be too good."
Butt confirms Lyell Creek is over his brief cup carnival form slump - by his own near-perfect standards - and Pick Six punters should be able to anchor the champ with confidence.
One of the other keys to getting a share of the $125,000 will be the clash of some outstanding mares in the third leg, where even after a brief break Chloe Hanover has to be favourite.
She bolted in by six lengths in near record time at the Ashburton trials last week and while she has a second line draw she will be put in the race before the bell by Jo Herbert and will be too tough for most she meets.
One of the more daunting legs is be the last, with standing start manners so important over 2200m.
These races are usually won by front markers but Quick Tip has been so impressive he could be an exception to that rule.
He drops in class after a gutsy third to Black Cam last week and can make a flier from the standing start, as he proved beating a tougher field off a 20m handicap over this distance at Cambridge last month.
Racing: No fear of repeat shock for Lyell's fans
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.