Racing: Sammy the best Aussie but Lyell still the greatest

Sammy Do Good, not defending champion Sumthingaboutmaori, is Australia's best hope in tonight's $250,000 trotting final.

Importantly, Sammy Do Good has improved through the series, while each of Sumthingaboutmaori's three heat runs was worse than the previous one.

Driver Kerryn Gath was tipping a huge showing from Sammy Do Good in his final qualifier last Friday night and he didn't disappoint. Elsu aside, his was the best run last Friday night.

It's no secret Sammy Do Good had his share of problems with two inglorious Moonee Valley runs as his lead-up to the Interdominion, but he now looks right back on track.

Although he's not blessed with an abundance of early speed, Gath only has one option from barrier seven - keep working forward and do her best to find the lead.

The way Sammy Do Good performed in his second and third heats, he would become the horse to beat if he happened to grab the pacemaking role.

The inside word from the stable suggests the gelding has kept improving since last Friday night's ripper run and will give the final a huge shake.

Sumthingaboutmaori is a real worry. After an encouraging second to Allegro Agitato on night one, she just battled when third on the second night, then was shoved wide but still looked plain when 10th last Friday night.

In Melbourne the best part of Sumthingaboutmaori's races is her killer last 100m surge. There has been no sign of that in Auckland.
It will take a monumental training performance by Bryan Healy and outstanding drive from Gavin Lang for the mare to defend her crown.

Australia's other finalist is the youthful Uncle Petrika, who has exceeded the expectations of most Aussie form students by grabbing a final berth but is really just making up the numbers at this stage.

While I think Sammy Do Good will be very hard to beat, I'm tipping the amazing Lyell Creek on top.

Sure sentiment has probably clouded my judgement a bit after travelling around the world to watch him race, but the biggest factor is the extraordinary confidence oozing from driver Anthony Butt.

He was overheard telling friends that "Old Lyell" had thrived during the series and was definitely the horse to beat.

Suffice to say it was an easy decision for Butt to drive Lyell Creek ahead of stablemate Take A Moment.

It's been great watching Delft take a giant - pardon the pun - step in his career during this series.

He is a real star in the making, but was handed the race on a platter last week.

I don't think he's any value around the $3.30 mark from outside of the back row, but he is a horse on the rise and has Tony Herlihy aboard.

Allegro Agitato looks best of the rest, especially if she leads early then takes a trail on Sammy Do Good.

I might be an Aussie, but I'll end up cheering for Lyell Creek.

* Adam Hamilton is an Australian harness racing journalist.