Three favourites draw poorly for feature

Michael Guerin

The unusual path to Friday’s $200,000 New Zealand Pacing Derby has taken another turn.

And it will leave punters and bookies both scratchings their heads.

This season’s classic pacing crop has already been an odd one, with many of the big names from last season like Spankem, Ashley Locaz and the The Devils Own failing to win anything resembling a major race this term.

At the same time the unheard of Chase Auckland emerged as the new kid on the block, sweeping all before him including the Woodlands Northern Derby three weeks ago, at which point this Friday’s NZ Derby at Add- ington looked his for the taking.

Soon after he was ruled out of this race with injury and now the latest curve ball has come via the barrier draw for Friday’s 2600m mobile, with the three dominant favourites drawing poorly.

Sicario has been the favourite for the Derby since Chase Auckland’s withdrawal but whether he starts as the public elect is doubtful at best after he drew barrier nine, the outside of the front line, in a capacity field.

That could have been disastrous but his worst possible draw is somewhat tempered by the fact both second favourite Anthem (15) and Sheriff (14) have drawn the outside two spots on the second line.

With some fast beginners on the front line like Pat’s Delight, Alta Maestro and On The Cards the race, which could have easily been a procession had a horse like Sicario drawn to lead, now looks of the more balanced group one pacing races of the season. It isn’t the only challenging Derby on the night for punters as the $100,000 Trotting Derby has drawn one of the strongest fields in its 75-year history after the best fillies in the country, Luby Lou and Girls On Film, accepted to take on the boys.

Fixed odds for both group ones are expected out this morning.

The field for the $200,000 Diamond Creek NZ Pacing Derby, at Addington at 9.29pm on Friday night is. — Duplicated (1) Culpeka (2), Henry Hubert (3), Pat’s Delight (4), Hail Christian (5), Alta Maestro (6), Star Commander (7), On The Cards (8), Sicario (9), Born To Run (10), Aloka (11), Acuto (12), Funatthebeach (13), Sheriff (14), Anthem (15). Emergency: Acuto.