Racing: US champion takes drive at Alexandra Park

Champion United States horseman Tim Tetrick, the winner of more than 8000 races, will partner The Fascinator (R5) for trainer Tony Herlihy. Photo / Thinkstock

One of the world's greatest harness drivers will make his New Zealand debut at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

Champion United States horseman Tim Tetrick, the winner of more than 8000 races, will partner The Fascinator (R5) for trainer Tony Herlihy.

Tetrick is in New Zealand with his wife on their way to Australia for the World Driving Champs in two weeks.

He will be interviewed as the special guest at a function at Alexandra Park at 7.30pm on Sunday night before attending the Karaka yearling sales on Monday.

Tetrick will then head to Canterbury for the sales there before going to Australia.

Tetrick's drives have won more than US$150 million ($202 million) and he is regarded at the leading driver in the US, where he holds the record of 1189 wins in one year.

Meanwhile, Kiwi pacers Christen Me and Terror To Love only have to finish top three in their Inter Dominion heat at Menangle on Saturday night to earn a place in the A$750,000 final on March 1.

The pair clash in the supplementary heat at Menangle, which has been weighted as the second strongest of the five heats to be run around Australia all in the space of one hour.

The New Zealand heat, which was to be held at Addington, was abandoned two weeks ago when it became apparent most of the New Zealand entries would be in Australia.

Ironically, had the New Zealand horses nominated for the series stayed home and started in the heat it would have contained Christen Me, Adore Me, Terror To Love, Franco Ledger, Arden Rooney and Bit Of A Legend.

But with that heat scrapped the first three in the supplementary heat, which the Kiwis will contest, automatically qualify for the final, with the first four from the first Menangle heat to go through, the first three from the Melton heat and the winners only of the Perth and Brisbane heats.

HRNSW then has two wildcard invites to make up the 14 pacers who will contest the final.