Racing: Clash robs trot punters

A scheduling clash is set to rob Kiwi punters of the chance to support outstanding trotting mare Allegro Agitato when she makes her Australian debut on Friday night.

The southern mare takes on Sumthingaboutmaori, Gold N Gold, Waihemo Hanger and Sammy Do Good in the A$50,000 Bill Collins Mile at Moonee Valley and is expected to start favourite in the group one sprint.

But unless the TAB can do some urgent reshuffling New Zealand punters will only get to see a replay of the race.

The Bill Collins Mile is run at 10.47pm New Zealand time, just three minutes before the final race at Alexandra Park, which will also be the last leg of Pick6.

With local clubs guaranteed at least five minutes of build-up before their races there is no chance both races can be shown live and the TAB don't bet on races they don't televise live.

Hence the Collins Mile was not listed last night as a race the TAB will accept betting on.

With Moonee Valley certain not to change their times the only option would be for the Auckland Trotting Club to move their final race back five minutes but that will further impact on an already packed Trackside schedule.

The clash cannot be blamed on anybody, with the ATC releasing its fields on Monday, 24 hours before the Bill Collins time was announced.

So racing fans hoping to see one of the best trotting races of the season are likely to have to wait for the replay.

That will be of little concern to Allegro Agitato's trainer Phil Williamson, who will also drive the mare on Friday because regular reinsman Tony Herlihy has commitments in Auckland.

Williamson was feeling on good terms with himself yesterday after Allegro Agitato drew barrier three, from where she will get the chance to use her high gate speed to cross main danger Sumthingaboutmaori, who drew the ace.

"I am happy with the way she has travelled and her work before coming over here has been very good so I think she will be hard to beat," said Williamson.

Sumthingaboutmaori has plenty to prove in Friday's race after a horror trip to New Zealand recently in which she ran just one second in four starts.

But she indicated she was on her way back to her best by rating 1:59 for 1750m when winning a Horsham trial on Sunday.

Both mares will clash with trotting's all-conquering hero Lyell Creek, who returns to Melbourne to race against them in the A$100,000 Grand Prix on December 18.

Lyell Creek will warm-up for that race with a workout at Alexandra Park on Saturday.