Racing: Auckland Reactor odds may drift out

Auckland Reactor's vice-like grip on the $600,000 Auckland Trotting Cup next Friday night was loosened a touch last night.

The champion Canterbury pacer drew the outside of the front line at the barrier draw dinner, while key rivals Monkey King (1) and Changeover (5) fared much better.

That may be enough to prompt TAB bookmakers to push Auckland Reactor out to around $1.70 for the Cup, after he got as short as $1.30 last week.

While he will still start a dominant favourite on the tote, the worst possible draw for Auckland Reactor means there will at least be those willing to bet against him.

And many of them will opt for Monkey King as the danger after he drew perfectly.

An impressive winner of the New Zealand Herald Free-For-All last Friday, Monkey King is now clear second favourite for the Cup.

Changeover remains the third favourite with stablemate Awesome Armbro next in the betting after he drew one on the second line.

The field drew just nine starters but the four best pacers available in the country are there, with many of the second-stringers having being scared off by Auckland Reactor.

Trotter Stig will not start, although trainer Paul Nairn admits he seriously considered it.

After the draw, Monkey King's owner Robert Famularo declared his star can beat Auckland Reactor.

"We have got our chance from that draw and if we can't beat him now there will be no complaints."

Last night's function also saw the draw for the $600,000 Woodlands Northern Derby, and again the favourite did not fare well.

Stunin Cullen, who got as short as $1.70 for the Derby two weeks ago, drew poorly on the second line and after two recent defeats will be pushed close for favouritism.

Particularly as all the other favoured runners drew well: Sleepy Tripp (1), Eric's Legend (2), Bus To Harland (3) and Aslan (4).

The fields for the two group one races at Alexandra Park on Friday night are:

$600,000 Woodlands Northern Derby, mobile, 2700m. - Sleepy Tripp (1), Eric's Legend (2), Bus To Harland (3), Aslan (4), He's My Hero (5), Rowan Direct (6), Thomas Maguire (7), Tintin In America (8), Highview Tommy (9), Diomedes (10), Percy The Punter (11), Kobe Bryant (12), Antares (13), Stunin Cullen (14), Flem N Em (15). Emergencies: Kobe Bryant, Thomas Maguire.

$600,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup, mobile, 2700m. - Monkey King (1), Days Of Courage (2), Absolute Magic (3), Pembrook Benny (4), Changeover (5), Tennis Ball (6), The Adman (7), Auckland Reactor (8), Awesome Armbro.