Racing: Bad barrier draw for Monkey King

Monkey King could hardly have fared worse in the barrier draw for Friday night's Victoria Cup but his two fellow Kiwi pacers have drawn almost perfectly.

Monkey King, who won $1 million last month to become New Zealand's richest-ever pacer, will start from the outside of the second line in the A$400,000 feature at Melton, outside Melbourne.

And his task has been made even more difficult by Aussie stars Smoken Up (one) and Melpark Major (five) drawing to go forward and control the race.

The draw guarantees that Smoken Up, a natural leader, will start a warm favourite on Friday night but his draw was good news for at least one of the New Zealanders in the race, Bettor's Strike.

The New Zealand Cup runner-up has drawn one on the second line and is likely to be able to follow Smoken Up throughout and get the passing lane shot at the favourite.

That will see him start way shorter than he did when finishing second to Monkey King, beating Smoken Up home, in the New Zealand Cup.

Fellow Canterbury pacer Mr Feelgood, who was relegated from first in the Poplar Alm Free-For-All last Friday night, has drawn barrier two.

Monkey King's trainer Brendon Hill was disappointed and realistic about the draw.

"It is going to make it really hard, maybe impossible," said Hill.

"Our draw is bad enough but having Smoken Up drawn one makes it really tough because I thought his was the run of the race in the Miracle Mile.

"So maybe it is a race we can't win but my horse is good and we have had our share of luck in the last month so we are going to be there Friday night."

Monkey King was stabled at the Brent Mangos stables in Pukekohe last night and flies to Melbourne tonight.

"He was a bit tucked up after the road trip up from home today but he will be better in 24 hours and she should be fine by Friday night."

Hill says the tiny pacer has thrived on his tough month, putting on weight after three group one wins in 19 days.

Smoken Up's draw saw him open a $2.30 favourite with Australian bookmakers, with Bettor's Strike continuing an amazing improvement curve in the past two months to be the $5 second favourite for wonder driver Dexter Dunn.

That means Monkey King was rated a $9 chance last night, longer than he got in the market for the New Zealand Cup at any stage during the six weeks before that race.

Mr Feelgood, who at least looked to show some ambition last Friday night before his relegation for drifting into the passing lane, opened at $13.

Blacks A Fake (barrier three) and Melpark Major share the third line of betting at $5.50.

Meanwhile, Oamaru trotter Springbank Richard faces a huge task in Friday night's other feature, the A$50,000 Bill Collins Mile.

The speedster has drawn two on the second line, alongside reigning Interdominion champion Sundon's Gift.

The latter's stablemate Skyvalley will start favourite after drawing well on the front line.

The field for the A$400,000 Victoria Cup to be run at 11.40pm New Zealand time on Friday is Smoken Up (1), Mr Feelgood (2), Blacks A Fake (3), Cincinnatti Kid (4), Melpark Major (5), Be Good Johnny (6), Washakie (7), Maffioso (8), Bettor's Strike (9), Bold Cruiser (10), Cant Bluff Me (11), Ohoka Nevada (12), Monkey King (13). Emergency: Maffioso.

VICTORIA CUP
* New Zealand Cup and Miracle Mile winner Monkey King draws poorly in the Victoria Cup.
* He is rated a $9 chance as he will start from the outside of the second line.
* Smoken Up is the hot favorite after drawing the ace.
* Canterbury pacer Bettor's Strike is drawn to get the perfect run on Smoken Up's back.