Racing: Dalgety set to strike double

If you had told Cran Dalgety two months ago he would be more confident with Bettor's Strike in the Victoria Cup than Smiling Shard in a 3-year-old race he would have laughed.

But that is how the Canterbury trainer views one of the biggest nights of his career tonight.

Dalgety not only has the second favourite in the A$400,000 Victoria Cup at Melton but his stable star, Smiling Shard, returns hours earlier on an incredible night of racing at Alexandra Park.

Smiling Shard was voted juvenile of the year last season after winning the Sires' Stakes, Harness Jewels and Australasian Breeders Crown and has thrilled Dalgety with his performances in three recent trials.

But, because he has a poor draw for his clash with flyers Kotare Mach and Sir Lincoln, Dalgety realises tonight may not bring a winning return.

"With Kotare Mach drawn where he is we might struggle to beat him, and Sir Lincoln is sharp too," Dalgety offers.

"When you look at those fields all night they are amazing and you simply aren't going to win races unless you are in the right place.

"I couldn't be happier with my horse but I just think he won't get the run to win."

Dalgety is more enthusiastic with Hip Hop Anvil (race one) and Holy Hero (race four) because of their draws.

"Hip Hop Anvil is a serious horse and has gate speed so he should be in for a hell of a race with Russley Rascal but I think we can beat him.

"And Holy Hero will go well, although once again we are up against one of Mark's [Purdon] in Sleepy Tripp. He might be too good for us, but my fella will go well."

Dalgety says he has the utmost faith in stable second driver Shane Walkinshaw, who will handle his Alexandra Park team tonight, as stable superstar driver Dexter Dunn heads to Melton to partner Bettors Strike.

But Dalgety may also be giving Dunn some rare driving advice in the build-up to tonight's Cup.

Bettors Strike has drawn one on the second line and if the race unfolds as most people expect he could trail leader and favourite Smoken Up.

From there he should get the last crack at the leader up the passing lane, right?

"I am not so sure we want to do that," says Dalgety.

"The passing lane starts very late at Melton and once we got into it and got balanced, I think Smoken Up would be too far in front. I'd rather see Dex using the camber of the bend to slingshot off Smoken Up's back around the top of the bend if we are going good enough - that way we won't lose any momentum.

"But a lot will depend on how hard they go early and how much pressure there is."

If the Victoria Cup turns into anything like the war the Miracle Mile was then the Kiwis in the race, all of whom are best suited to swooping, will get their chance.

But if Smoken Up can control the race he only has to reproduce his Miracle Mile performance to finally claim a really big cup.

MIXED FORTUNES

* Trainer Cran Dalgety has a strong hand at Alexandra Park and in the Victoria Cup tonight.
* He is quietly confident heading into the Victoria Cup with Bettor's Strike.
* But he thinks the draw could cost Smiling Shard his chance at Alexandra Park.
* Tonight's premier meeting boasts some of the strongest support races seen at Alexandra Park in years.