Herlihy well placed to win Auckland features tonight
TWO of the most improved horses in Tony Herlihy’s stable can give him a featurerace double at Alexandra Park tonight but they will have to do it in different ways.
While The Almighty Johnson could try to lead all the way in the major trot, Italian Delight faces a 30m handicap in the Franklin Country Cup for pacers.
Italian Delight has been one of the most improved pacers in northern ranks over summer and is guaranteed a spot in the glamour 4yrold male division of the Jewels. Last season he looked a touch onepaced but he has matured as so many of the Bettors Delight stock do, and can now come from off the speed.
With anything like his best performance he should win.
Trainerdriver Herlihy might have to play the patient game with Italian Delight, but The Almighty Johnson has the gate speed to gain tactical advantage in the 1700m open trot. He has finished third in both the Lyell Creek and Flying Mile at group 2 level over the summer, and is drawn best of the three favourites tonight.
Aiding him further is the fact Ross Paynter, trainer of his arch rival, Lemond, thinks his charge is still on his way back to peak form.
‘‘He has had two workouts since he last raced and while I was happy with him trotting 2.48 for 2200m mobile at Cambridge last Saturday, I think he will still improve with the run.’’
The rival clearly good enough to beat The Almighty Johnson is Bordeaux, who, at his best, ranks in the top five trotters in the country. If he handles Alexandra Park well he has a huge chance.
‘‘He actually trots better righthanded and showed gate speed two starts ago., so I think he will be hard to beat,’’ trainer Philip Iggo said.
Another southern trotter with the talent to win is Renezmae (race 5). Last season’s juvenile filly Breeders Crown winner returned with a stunning win against older horses in February but raced below her best last start. She faces some inform opposition and is firstup at Alexandra Park, a track that has tripped southern trotters before.