Veste is co-trained by Herlihy's brother-in-law, Mark Purdon. Herlihy drove the Mark Purdon-trained Pride of Petite to win the 1997 Interdominion Trotting Final in Adelaide.
Veste is a 2yr-old filly by Christian Cullen and the first winner left by Coburg, the winner of 10 races including the 2004 New Zealand Breeders' Stakes at Addington when trained by Mike Berger.
Herlihy (52) drove his first winner, Gymea Gold, in January, 1978 at Cambridge. He was the leading probationary (now junior) driver for three seasons. He has led the New Zealand premiership eight times as a fully fledged driver and surpassed 100 wins in a season 17 times.
Herlihy has a best tally of 147 wins in the 1994-95 season. He first topped the premiership in 1984-85 with a then record of 112 wins, surpassing Peter Wolfenden, who drove 101 winners in 1974-75.
Herlihy reached 1000 wins when he drove Hilo Royce at Alexandra Park in April, 1991 and 2000 when he partnered Classic Turbo there in October, 1999.
• Fernleigh Renegade, an impressive last start-winner, has been scratched at Ashburton tomorrow and he is booked to travel to Auckland the same day.
"His owners wanted him to go to Auckland for premier racing," Catherine Butt, the Woodend Beach co-trainer of Fernleigh Renegade, said.
The Live Or Die 4yr-old won his last start by five lengths at Addington on February 5 in a 1.55.2 mile rate for 1950m (mobile).
The Butt stable has Ohoka Texas in Auckland preparing for the Great Northern Derby. The first heats are next Friday.
Ohoka Texas has won four of his five starts. He won last time at Wyndham on February 6.
Millwood Kansas is a bright hope for the stable in a heat of the Sires' Stakes for 3yr-old fillies at Ashburton tomorrow. Millwood Kansas ran second to Tatijana Bromac, beaten half a length at Ashburton on February 12. She won her other start over a mile at Wyndham this month.
Commander Jewel, the smart 3yr-old trotting filly, resumes racing tomorrow. Commander Jewel has won her only start this season at Forbury Park in October. The daughter of CR Commando, trained by Mark Jones, won a workout at Rangiora last Saturday.
Nickel Plated Tabman, a 2yr-old who won a workout by five lengths the same day, has his first start in the 2yr-old race tomorrow. He is a Red River Hanover-Gwyneth colt trained by Robbie Holmes.
• Stunin Cullen continued his preparation for the Auckland Cup with a workout win at Pukekohe on Wednesday when he ran his last 800m in 56.6.
• An announcement is expected early next week on whether the Interdominion will continue at Addington.
The Interdominion is due to begin on March 25 with the finals on April 8.
The track and facilities are not considered an issue after sustaining minor damage in the earthquake on Tuesday. An inspection by structural engineers is yet to take place.
Officials are monitoring the state of infrastructure and associated facilities in Christchurch regarding the ability to host visitors said a joint statement from Harness Racing New Zealand, the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club and Harness Racing Australia.
The statement said there were contingency options.
• Jill Coppins, the Morrinsville trainer, has been fined $850 and ordered to pay $350 costs for presenting a horse to race with an elevated bicarbonate level.
She admitted the charge before the Judicial Control Authority representatives of presenting Royal Tiger with a level of 37.3mmol/L at Thames on January 9. The acceptable level is 35. The representatives said there was no evidence of deliberate administration.
Royal Tiger, who had been drenched with a saline solution the previous day, finished last when 10-10 in the betting.
• Additional information for the meetings today.-
Racing Matamata
Scratching
Race 2: Nabucco.
Weather, cloudy; track, good (3); rail, true.
Otaki-Maori RC
Scratchings
Race 5: Blue Grass.
Race 10: Master Nagol.
Weather, overcast; track, dead (4); rail, true.
Wyndham HRC
Scratchings
Race 7: The Peace Rose.
Race 8: Watch Rose Trot.
Race 9: Liquidity, Watrulookingat.
