Racing: Quick Tip will fight Luke

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Cool Hand Luke may beat Quick Tip at Cambridge tonight, but the latter's trainer is adamant he will have to earn that victory.

The pair clash in the $40,000 Elliot Futurity Final, the culmination of a series which is becoming one of the highlights of the northern harness racing summer.

Cool Hand Luke will be a hot favourite after sitting parked to win the last heat last week and comes in even better under tonight's handicapping conditions.

But Quick Tip's trainer Steven Reid is not conceding defeat and says if Cool Hand Luke comes out on top he will earn it the hard way.

"We beat Cool Hand Luke in the first heat, admittedly when he may not have been at his best, but I still think we can beat him again," said Reid.

"To do that I think we have to step fast and make him work because in these type of races, when your key rivals are handicapped, you have to make it tough for them."

Quick Tip can make a flyer but occasionally bobbles after 50m.

"We took him to the workouts at Pukekohe last week and he did have a slight bobble, but nothing serious and I am confident he can step fast and lead tonight."

If he leads Quick Tip will take a power of catching as his form this season suggests he is one of the best pacers Reid has trained.

He was in awesome form before the Auckland Cup carnival where his two unlucky runs deserved better than the third and fourth placings they yielded.

If he leads then Cool Hand Luke is likely to have to sit outside him at some stage, which he may be good enough to do and still win, but it would require a stunning performance as both horses are headed for open class.

Outside the two favourites Falcon Rise and Mike's Pal also have realistic winning hopes.

Falcon Rise is clearly a better horse racing left-handed and can make a brilliant beginning. Good enough to pace a national allcomers 2200m record on this track as a 3-year-old last season he has had little luck for much of this season but could be good each way value tonight.

Mike's Pal has been taken along quietly this season but is another better treated in the handicaps tonight than he has been recently and has a wicked sprint when saved for one run.

If Quick Tip does have to bow to Cool Hand Luke tonight Reid still gives himself at least two good winning chances.

"I think Sharp Response is the horse to beat in race five," he said.

"He should really lead and the 2700m will suit him because he is a good stayer.

"And Clifton Gold could be a big improver in race eight. Brent (Mangos) has been doing all the work with him since we joined forces last week and I think he may be working him out.

"I know he is a hard horse to follow because he has a few tricks but he is very good at his best."

The night's other pacing feature sees Cigar get his chance to graduate to open class in his first start for new trainer Mark Purdon.

The speedster is a far more genuine horse when in front and should be able to hold that position from the ace in tonight's Flying Mile.

But if he does get crossed at the start then in-form mares Kym's Girl and Flight South as well as outstanding geldings Pic Me Pockets and Classic Turbo are all winning chances.

Also of interest tonight will be the debut of 3-year-old trotter Bunnys Gold in race four.

The locally-trained youngster trotted an unofficial national 2700m standing start record when qualifying on this track recently, winning by the length of the home straight.