By MICHAEL GUERIN
Lyell Creek does not deserve to be favourite for his Alexandra Park debut on Friday night even after securing the perfect draw.
That is the opinion of southern trainer Tim Butt who prepared the trotting excitement machine to win the Dominion Handicap last month.
Lyell Creek took first blood in his battle with the northern stars in yesterday's barrier draw for the Michael Boulgaris National Trot when he got barrier four, with Interdom champ and second favourite Special Force drawing the outside of the front line.
But even that advantage is unlikely to be enough to help Lyell Creek reach his favoured pacemaking role.
"The way Special Force leaves the gate I can't see anything holding him out if he wants to lead," said Butt.
"While Lyell Creek trialled well from behind the mobile last week we will be looking to get out of the gate safely and take things from there."
Lyell Creek had his first look at Alexandra Park yesterday when he thrilled Butt with his dawn workout.
"The track won't be a problem but he has taken a few days to settle in up here.
"He has been racing around his paddock looking for his mates but he should be all right by Friday night.
"But even then he shouldn't be favourite on the fixed odds. I think the TAB only have him favourite because Graeme Bruton [better known as Steel Balls] owns him."
Lyell Creek was a $2.50 favourite last night, with Special Force at $3.75.
"This is a big step up for him - a new track, the mobile and racing away from home. But this is the sort of experience he needs before the Inters in Melbourne."
Butt did have a tip for Lyell Creek fans regardless of whether he continues his unbeaten season on Friday.
"The standing start race next week should suit him because he would have raced on the track by then and would have had more time to settle in."
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The future of former pacing hero Iraklis is in doubt after he was withdrawn from the Interdominions yesterday.
Trainer Robert Cameron pulled the 7-year-old out of the $3.7 million series yesterday, just three days after Iraklis had returned to winning form.
The former Miracle Mile and New Zealand Cup winner easily defeated some handy opponents in Victoria last Friday night but damaged his troublesome suspensory in the process.
That left Cameron with little choice but to pull him out of the series which begins at Moonee Valley on January 15.
Iraklis was the only major star missing as second rankings were released for the series yesterday.
Holmes D G's recent Grand Circuit rampage saw him rise to top of the rankings, taking over from Christian Cullen.
While they are guaranteed starts in the series the hopes of star 4-year-olds Shakamaker and Cigar also received boosts after weekend wins.
Shakamaker bolted away with a Sires Stakes semi-final at Moonee Valley on Saturday night, his third win on end, and has jumped 11 places from 30 to 19.
And Cigar's Summer Cup victory has helped him make the biggest jump in the rankings, from 77 to 40.
The next rankings for the series will be released on December 22, with the final rankings on January 3 determining which 48 pacers and 40 trotters make the series.
Racing: Southern trainer fears Special Force
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