Racing: The power of One

Champion reinsman Tony Herlihy says he is not concerned by One Over Kenny's draw in tonight's $300,000 Canam Rowe Cup.

Which means punters can afford to anchor the great mare in the Alexandra Park classic.

Only Stig and Sundon's Gift have been in the same class as One Over Kenny in Australasia this season and with that pair missing tonight the Rowe Cup is One Over Kenny's to lose - especially over her favourite 3200m distance on her beloved home track.

The quickest way for her to lose would be to gallop at the start and that horror thought appeared to move closer to reality for punters when One Over Kenny drew barrier one, meaning she would be standing the longest at the start, a novelty for a mare who until recently started off the unruly.

But trainer-driver Herlihy says not only does the ace draw not bother him but he thinks it could suit the mare.

"I know sometimes in the past barrier one could be bad in these type of races but I don't think that is the case so much now," said Herlihy.

"When you had a lot of horses racing off handicaps it could take a while to get the tapes across and get them all set, and under those circumstances the horse drawn one had a bit of a disadvantage.

"But now the major cups are free-for-alls they tend to come up more in two lines at the same time and then go, which would be a lot better for us."

Herlihy says the ace draw means at least One Over Kenny will have some room to move to her right, unlike if she was sandwiched between horses in the middle of the front line.

"While she has been on the unruly for several years, her standing start manners have actually been good. She stands there waiting for the tapes so I am confident she will be fine."

If One Over Kenny does make an even half-decent beginning it is hard to see her beaten as she has come from back in the field to beat these rivals on many occasions this season.

The latest was last Friday when, after starting from a 20m handicap, she was trapped behind backrunners until the 400m mark yet roared home to win easily.

"She found the line really well and she seems spot on for this week."

Victory tonight would take her past $1 million in career stakes - New Zealand's third trotter to reach that mark and the first mare.

While the $1.40 opening quote from bookmakers is too short to take seriously, finding opposition with a realistic chance of beating the great mare is difficult.

If One Over Kenny's steps well then Our Sunny Whiz, drawn on her back, could get a good trip and has the speed to compete with her arch-rival.

Australian visitor Just Glorious is at least as good at the rest, while Galleons Sunset looks to be in career- best form but 3200m will stretch him.

Braig is a proven stayer, Genius is a comeback marvel and Another Moment has the talent even if he struggles to harness it consistently.

But the Rowe Cup is renowned for at least one big dividend placegetter so trifecta takers should include Glenbogle, Watch Him Trot and Springbank Richard.