Racing: Blacks A Fake out of Auckland Cup

Power Of Tara (No 3) shows his fitness for the Auckland Cup by winning at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Photo / Getty Images

One Australian superstar pulled out of Auckland Cup Week as two others got the perfect barrier draws for the feature at Alexandra Park.

Blacks A Fake will miss Friday night's $400,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Trotting Cup after coming down with a slight virus when finishing second in his comeback race in Queensland on Saturday night.

The four-time Interdominion champion was second to old rival Be Good Johnny in a minor race and trainer Natalie Rasmussen said that was not good for a trip to Auckland yet.

"He went all right but not good enough for the Auckland Cup," said Rasmussen.

"We had 13 horses in on Saturday night and they all went below their best so I am sure we have a virus in the team.

"So I will see how he works later this week and get a blood taken from him and I think we can still make the Interdominions."

Because acceptances for the Cup closed on Saturday, Blacks A Fake was included in the field and drew barrier three, but his withdrawal sees Five Star Anvil gain a start.

His fellow Queensland pacer Washakie got the best draw for the Cup, coming up with barrier one but just as happy were the connections of Themightyquinn.

He has drawn barrier nine, on the back of Washakie and if the latter holds the lead Themightyquinn could end up with the perfect trail.

"That barrier suits us fine because he is best with a sit and I think Washakie will try and lead," said Themightyquinn's driver Gary Hall.

Bookies agreed as Themightyquinn opened as the $3.50 favourite for the 2700m mobile event but they have four horses equal on the second line of betting. Defending champion Monkey King is at $5.50 after drawing the second line, as is Auckland Reactor, who failed dramatically in the NZ Herald Free-For-All last Friday but will start from barrier six.

Mr Feelgood, who has drawn the second line is also at $5.50 along with Stunin Cullen, who has drawn the outside of the front line.

His trainer Tim Butt could find no reason for the latter's disappointing failure on Friday night.

"He was very average by his standards and was blowing after the race so we will be in for a tough week," said Butt.

De Lovely, who missed the free-for-all on Friday, will start from barrier five and is rated a $13 chance, the longest final field odds of her career.

While the Auckland Cup is one of the strongest and most open ever, the $400,000 Woodlands Derby has a $1.50 favourite in Sushi Sushi.

The Victoria Derby winner drew perfectly at barrier one and has blazing gate speed so looks the certain leader.

With the TAB already holding plenty of money on him they have effectively turned off the tap with their $1.50 price.

Major Mark has drawn ideally behind him at barrier nine and looks the best value in either market at $6.

Excel Stride is a $7 chance after getting barrier five but one-time Derby favourite Terror To Love drifted out to $7.50 after drawing wide on the second line, with Royal Verdict alongside at $12.

The fields for the Young Guns fillies and colts finals were also released, with trainer Mark Purdon thrilled after Fly Like An Eagle drew three in the boys final and Veste barrier four in the fillies' final.

FIELDS:

Woodlands Northern Derby, mobile 2700m.- Sushi Sushi (1), Hands Christian (2), Delight Brigade (3), State Of Affairs (4), Excel Stride (5), Pocket The Dream (6), Jarcullembra (7), Ohoka Texas (8), Major Mark (9), Statesman (10), Amazing Art (11), Anvils Top Gun (12), Royal Verdict (13), Terror To Love (14), Pacific Warrior (15). Emergencies: Pocket The Dream, Jarcullembra.

Trillian Trust Auckland Cup, mobile 2700m.- Washakie (1), Raglan (2), Blacks A Fake (3) (scratched), Five Star Anvil (4), Pembrook Benny (5), De Lovely (6), Auckland Reactor (7), Stunin Cullen (8), Themightyquinn (9), Gomeo Romeo (10), Monkey King (11), Highview Tommy (12), Mr Feelgood (13), Power Of Tara (14).

AUSSIE VICTORIES

* Australian pacers were the winners in the draws for Alexandra Park's two features.

*Washakie has drawn barrier one in the Auckland Cup, with Themightyquinn on his back.

*Sushi Sushi has drawn the ace in the Woodlands Derby.

*Blacks A Fake scratched from the Auckland Cup.