Racing: New ground for Herlihy

Tony Herlihy.
Tony Herlihy.
An old friendship forged through great horses convinced New Zealand driving great Tony Herlihy to make the trek to Waikouaiti today.

Herlihy is the country's most successful driver, reining home more than 3200 winners since he first saluted behind Gymea Gold at Cambridge in January 1978.

Harness Racing New Zealand statistics show Herlihy has driven winners at 40 racecourses around New Zealand - including two wins with Clever Dillon at Forbury Park in 1991 - but he is yet to visit some of the tracks in Otago.

''There are a few down that way like Roxburgh and Omakau I haven't been to, and Waikouaiti is another one,'' Herlihy said.

That status will change for Waikouaiti today, as Herlihy takes part in the ''youth versus experience'' drivers' challenge, along with 11 other drivers from New Zealand and Australia.

When Waikouaiti trainer Bruce Negus rang Herlihy about the concept, Herlihy had a fair idea that he would be considered one of the experienced group.

''I figured that's where I'd be,'' he laughed.

''Bruce has always been a good friend of mine and helped me out a couple of times with different horses and what have you, so he rung me and that influenced me a little bit.

Bruce Negus.
Bruce Negus.
''I drove Courage [Under Fire] for him a couple of times, so it was great of him to ask me to do it.''

Negus and Herlihy also had an association through pacing great Sly Flyin (29 wins) which encouraged Herlihy to take part.

Herlihy has done well in the random driver draws, too. He has two good chances, with The Ultimate Storm (race 4) and Chiola Belle (race 5) both likely to start as favourites.

Jonny Cox did not quite fit into either category in the driving series, but he and co-trainer Amber Hoffman have three pacers entered on today's card, including Smiles For Miles in the opening event.

The Grinfromeartoear mare was disappointing at Wyndham in early February, and the outside draw does not help her chances today.

''The bad draw makes it hard, but she's got a bit of a motor, so any luck, she might be thereabouts,'' Cox said.

''I'll just go back and take some shortcuts - it's a long way up the straight so hopefully I can weave through them somewhere.''

New South Wales junior driver Amanda Turnbull will take the reins behind Still Shakin, who was not disgraced on a dead track at Gore on March 9, finishing fifth behind Village Club.

''He surprised me a wee bit - he was a bit more forward than I thought he was,'' Cox said.

''There are a couple of smart ones in there, but if he can ping away and just keep handy to the pace, he won't be a mile away either.''

Sharpenuff (race 8) was forced to take on smart horses such as Awesum Teddy and Cam Before The Storm in his last two starts, and should find the opposition more within his range this week on a track he was successful at on February 9.

''It was a bit of a step up from what he has been racing and it's probably not as strong this week,'' Cox said.

''He didn't handle the grass at Gore [on March 9] too well - it was a bit soft for him - so back at Waikouaiti, we can hopefully get a bit of it.''

Invited drivers series.-Youth: Matthew Williamson, Dexter Dunn, Craig Ferguson, Nathan Williamson, Samantha Ottley (all New Zealand), Amanda Turnbull (Australia).

Experience: Ricky May, Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry, Jim Curtin, Allan Beck (all New Zealand), Lance Justice (Australia).

Add a Comment