Racing: Draw difficult for De Lovely

Punters would be foolish to take anything shorter than $1.50 on De Lovely (9) tonight. Photo / Greg Bowker

David Butcher says now is not the time to panic with wonder mare De Lovely.

The exceptional four-year-old returns to Addington tonight as the hot favourite for the $40,000 Premier Mares Championship, facing just seven rivals.

After thrashing many of them twice at Alexandra Park last month, most punters will see De Lovely as a certainty, with her dashing racing style making her an understandable hype magnet.

But the reality is from the outside of the front line she faces sitting near last in a small field over a sprint trip tonight, from where any good horse is vulnerable.

Considering she has gate speed and the respect to intimidate the lead from her rivals if driver Butcher did want to press forward at the start of the 1950m event that would seem like not a bad option.

But Butcher says that almost certainly won't be happening.

"At some stage, I will put her in a race and drive her like that but I don't think we need to do that this week," said Butcher.

"I don't have definite driving tactics but she has so much speed, as long as she isn't more than four lengths off the leader at the 400m, she would still be able to round them up."

Butcher's reluctance to change from the sit-sprint tactics used so far this season is reinforced by the fact De Lovely missed a lead-up race which was abandoned at Cambridge last week.

She has trialled and worked well since and her class should still get her home tonight.

But punters would be foolish to take anything shorter than $1.50 as 1950m races in small fields at Addington can be notoriously tactical.

The obvious danger is Beaudiene Bad Babe, who was unlucky when denied a passing lane run in the Northern Southland Cup last Thursday and pushed De Lovely closest at Alexandra Park last month.

She is a class mare who loves Addington and, if Dexter Dunn can push forward and secure the lead with her, she has a sneaky chance of upsetting the favourite.

Lancome, who has returned to her best after having a slight virus last month and Trigirl Brigade, who is in the care of David Butt for the next month, are the best trifecta hopes.

While the pacing mares take centre stage tonight from an Interdominion point of view the performance of Speculate in the main trot is more crucial.

The former group one winner returned with a brave win last start and is beautifully placed in the handicaps tonight so only needs to perform at the same level to win again.

And those looking for a Pick6 anchor should look no further than Four Starzzz Flash in race five.

He was a strong second in the Marlborough Cup on Sunday and has the huge advantage of Dexter Dunn in the junior driver's race.

Also of interest tonight is the return of last season's Australasian Breeders Crown winner Paramount Geegee in the last race, although he isn't well placed under the handicaps.

LOVELY MARE

* De Lovely returns to Addington tonight.

* She faces a tricky draw in the $40,000 mare's feature race.

* Driver David Butcher says that won't force him to change tactics.

* Forgotten trotting star Speculate looks a handicapping special in race two.