By MICHAEL GUERIN
The TAB bookmakers are paying Lyell Creek the ultimate compliment.
They don't want you to bet on him.
In a rare move the TAB will open two fixed odds markets on Friday night's $100,000 Mad Butcher Rowe Cup. One market with Lyell Creek, and one without.
And they are expecting a lot more interest in the market without Lyell Creek.
"We realise people love the horse so we will give them a chance to get on him if they want but he will only be at $1.25," said bookie Kevin Gutschlag.
"But we are expecting a lot more interest in the market where we take him out of the betting and people get a chance to bet on who they think is going to run second.
"I think we have had betting on one of Sunline's races in the past with her out of the market too, but obviously it is something we would only do for a very special horse."
The TAB's attitude to Lyell Creek hammers home just how dominant Lyell Creek has become and even from his 15m backmark on Friday night their $1.25 offer is as good as punters are likely to get.
While only nine rivals will take on The Freak in his final New Zealand start, the big names of trotting are there, with Last Sunset, Mountain Gold and Sundon's Way next in favouritism.
The Auckland Trotting Club is hosting a huge farewell party for Lyell Creek, who heads to Australia and then the Northern Hemiphere after Friday's race.
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Cool Hand Luke overcame the worst possible draw to win last Friday's Taylor Mile - or so it seemed.
The bullish 4-year-old had to sit three wide for the last 1200m of last Friday's feature after starting from the outside of the front line.
But he faces an even trickier task in Friday's $75,000 Messenger Pace.
The almost certain favourite will start from one on the second line in the 2700m group one event.
While he follows out fast beginner Dancingonmoonlight, there is little chance she will try for an all the way win.
In that case Cool Hand Luke faces the possibility of being trapped on the markers, which would be the ultimate curse for a horse whose stamina is his greatest gift and who is not really known as a sit-sprinter.
Stars And Stripes has hardly fared much better, drawing seven on the front line in a race which should now provide an even betting contest.
Cool Hand Luke will open a $3 favourite in fixed odds betting.
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Cool Hand Luke's win last week helped to carry trainer Mark Purdon past the $1million stakes mark in New Zealand this season.
His four wins last Friday took his stakes total to $1,078,173 from 75 wins, putting him 39 clear of nearest rival, brother Barry.
Tim Butt is third on the premiership but the second highest stake earning trainer, a position which will almost certainly be consolidated by Lyell Creek in Friday's Rowe Cup.
Champion driver Tony Herlihy is closing in on the 100 mark with 95 victories in New Zealand this season for an incredible UDR of .3755 with $888,625 in stakes.
And the north completes a treble at the head of the premiership tables with Scott Wallis the country's best junior driver with 13 wins.
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Mark Jones was as relieved as he was pleased after piloting Sparks A Flyin to win the New South Wales Oaks.
The Canterbury pair blew away their Australian opponents in last Friday's $A75,000 classic for the filly's seventh win on end.
Not bad a for a horse trainer Cran Dalgety initially thought wasn't even good enough to continue the payments for the Sales Series Pace, in what must be one of the most expensive decisions of the harness racing season.
But Dalgety made up for that last Friday with the hit and run mission. However it was Jones who was even more relieved.
The record breaking junior driver and leading South Island reinsman posted his first driving success in Australia in the group one classic.
"It was about time because I have had a few drives over there but I can tell you, it won't be my last win over there," said the 22-year-old.
"This is a very good filly and even though I couldn't get the front early I never really had any worries."
With the filly crop being an even bunch Sparks A Flyin is now the front runner for Filly of the Year honours, which will be decided by two group one features at Addingon in May.
Racing: Rare TAB market move tribute to talent of Lyell Creek
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