Racing: Delft wins war for Herlihy's services

Tony Herlihy has spoken and the bookies have listened.

New Zealand's greatest reinsman has decided to drive trotting's new kid on the block Delft in preference to outstanding mare Allegro Agitato for the remainder of the Interdominions.

The pair both won their opening night heats and when Delft galloped at the start of his heat on Tuesday night he appeared to have made Herlihy's choice for him.

But his enormous recovery for sixth in the sprint, coupled with Allegro Agitato's surprise defeat in the second of Tuesday's trotting heats, saw Herlihy swing back towards Delft.

Allegro Agitato will now be driven by Mark Purdon, who was on stand-by to partner Delft if Herlihy had gone the other way.

"It was a hard decision to make because they are both such great trotters," said Herlihy.

"But I thought Delft went the better of them on Tuesday.

"He may have galloped but it was more because he was trying to go too fast and he did settle pretty quickly.

"He made up so much ground he was jogging in behind them at the finish and had it been 2200m he still might have won.

"Whereas I thought Allegro Agitato didn't feel as good on Tuesday as she did last Friday.

"She can still win the final but I had to make my decision now to be fair to everybody."

The news was one reason Delft shortened into $4 outright favouritism for the final yesterday, with Allegro Agitato drifting to $6.50 in a volatile market.

If Delft is to justify that favouritism he will have to give his rivals a start and a beating as he is on the unruly for the remainder of the series.

Herlihy recommended the move to trainer Michelle Wallis after Tuesday's gallop, believing Delft will find it easier to relax starting off the second line.

"He is such a competitive horse that he tries to go with them early and that doesn't suit him.

"But from the second line he will be able to find his feet early and I think he could be even more competitive coming from behind."

Herlihy's decision will almost certainly be hit or miss - Delft has won 10 of his 24 starts but has never finished second or third.

The mammoth trotter has drawn the weaker of tomorrow night's two heats, with Lyell Creek his only rival under $10 to win the final.

The other heat brings together most of the big guns, including Allegro Agitato, Take A Moment, Sumthingaboutmaori and Pompallier, who gets his first front line draw of the series.

Take A Moment faces a second line draw in his quest to qualify for the final and while he looks likely to get his crack at a record third Interdom title he needs to finish in the first five tomorrow night for that to be guaranteed.

He is just outside the 13 who make the final, lying 14th equal with Whatsundermykilt on the points table but will be suited by tomorrow night's 2700m distance and few of those behind him on the points table look any chance to leapfrog him.

While Take A Moment should make the final he may need a new driver, with regular reinsman Anthony Butt almost certain to drive stablemate Lyell Creek.

While Butt has yet to declare his intentions he was impressed by Lyell Creek's luckless second on Tuesday night and the 11-year-old will only need to maintain that form to be a winning chance in the $250,000 final, while Take A Moment needs to improve.

Tony's tip

* Champion reinsman Tony Herlihy has chosen Delft as his drive for the Interdominion trotting series.

* That has forced him to give up the drive on one-time series favourite Allegro Agitato.

* Delft has been placed on the unruly for his heat tomorrow night.

* Anthony Butt looks increasingly likely to drive Lyell Creek over stablemate Take A Moment if they both make the final.

Points heading into the final round. Allegro Agitato, Martina H 31; Lyell Creek, Sumthingaboutmaori 26; Delft 25; Unce Petrika 21; Play On, Toomuch To Do 18; Glenbogle, Sammy Do Good 17; Marie Wishes, Major Decision, Pompallier 16; Take A Moment, Whatsundermykilt 15; Lanson 13; Lost In The Park 12; Cracker Nova 10; Paris Metro 9; Gold, Prince Sundon 8; Castleton's Mission, Young Pointer 6; Gold N Gold, 4; Stirling Kiwi 3.