By MIKE DILLON
Don't worry about Sir Clive not having raced right-handed - trainer Peter Williams isn't.
The South Island's best 3-year-old makes his first northern appearance in tomorrow's $60,000 Auto Auctions Avondale Guineas and on current form will start favourite.
Racing right-handed for the first time in major northern races has often brought horses undone, but Williams will not be using that as an excuse if Sir Clive is beaten.
"He managed the right-handed way okay at Takanini this morning when he galloped," said Williams.
With regular rider Damian Browne stood down for medical and disciplinary reasons, Sir Clive will be ridden tomorrow by the vastly experienced Grant Cooksley, who was on the colt at Takanini yesterday.
"Grant was happy with the way he went.
"He's a very athletic horse who can sprint his way out of situations, so I'm very confident he will manage the track. He's very nimble."
The Williams stable set Sir Clive for the 2400m Mercedes Derby from the beginning of his current preparation and the first step to 2000m tomorrow is ideal.
"He's been looking for more distance," said Williams.
Sir Clive has been stabled at the Jillings/Yuill stable at Takanini since his luckless third in the group one Bayer Classic at Otaki last week.
The Bigstone colt was going for a gap between the eventual first two Bayer placegetters Tit For Taat and Star Satire at the 200m when the opening closed and he had to be restrained.
A protest was dismissed, but that did not mean Sir Clive had every chance to win.
His third was a top effort after he had been slow to leave the barriers and last on settling.
Derby chances emerge like mushrooms in the final lead-up and there are several engaged here looking to prove they have both the class and the stamina to be a threat at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Danamite, Kings Honor and Mick are among them.
Danamite was having only his fourth start when he finished third to Tit For Taat in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, the fighting finish he showed suggesting the stepping up in distance might not be a problem.
Kings Honor failed in the same race, but the soft track almost certainly did not help. He looks much better placed for this.
His owner and trainer Jim Campin has always felt Kings Honor would find his best form over the middle distances and the 2000m, assisted by an inside barrier, looks ideal.
Paul O'Sullivan has always had a big opinion of Mick, which was confirmed when the showy chestnut overcame difficulties to leave maidens at Te Rapa two starts back.
Mick was badly held up for racing room when he backed up at Tauranga next start. That would have underscored his credentials for this event, but he is worth including.
Racing: Southerner looks right as rain
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