Racing: Final a fitting birthday present from Delft

Tony Herlihy says Delft has gained confidence and handles the Moonee Valley track well. Picture Gary Wild

Delft could deliver the ultimate birthday present to prominent North American owner Joe Muscara with victory in the Inter Dominion Trotting grand final at Moonee Valley today.

Pennsylvania-based Muscara turned 82 on Friday and his Auckland-based New Zealand bloodstock manager John Curtin is hopeful Delft will deliver a Down Under birthday present in the Inter Dominion grand final.

"Joe has been a massive buyer and supporter of New Zealand-bred racehorses over the past 20 years and I couldn't think of a better birthday present for him than winning the Inter Dominion Final," said Curtin.

Muscara sponsored the Inter Dominion Pacing grand final last year in Auckland as the owner of the outstanding Mach Three.

"I've gone back through the record of Delft and 12 months ago we were in a similar position when he won two heats at Auckland but had an unlucky run in the final when placed fifth.

"I'm so focused on winning the grand final for Joe that I have intentionally bypassed travelling over to Melbourne to watch the race," said Curtin, who doesn't want to jinx the trotter after missing both rounds of the qualifying heats.

"He's trotted superbly winning both those races and he's a horse who has got better and better as the series has progressed.

"Michelle [Wallis, trainer] told me before the series that Delft would have no problems trotting around the left-handed tracks at Ballarat and Moonee Valley and he has certainly performed up to her prediction.

"This horse has just got fitter with each race in this series. As long as he dodges any early traffic problems he'll be tough to beat."

Curtin bought Delft from South Auckland trainer Tony Herlihy and sent him to North America to race for Muscara.

He failed to fire in 10 starts and Curtin recommended that the gelding return to New Zealand to continue his racing career.

Curtin and Muscara had similar problems with speedy free-for-all trotter Frugal Echo, who returned home to race consistently from the stable of Leanne Edwards.

Delft returned to Herlihy, but the leading horseman quickly suggested that the giant gelding may be better placed in the Waiuku stable of Michelle Wallis.

"Quite often when you have New Zealand-trained trotters up in North America you find out that some American trainers have tried different things with the horses that don't work," said Herlihy.

"In mile racing you can't afford to make a mistake and that's what appeared to happen with Delft.

"You have to be extremely careful when playing around with the racing shoes on a trotter and Michelle has done a fabulous job with this horse."

Herlihy felt Delft had gained the confidence to stretch out properly in his trotting gait without the fear of galloping after Wallis trained him on the beach in a straight line.

"Getting this horse to trot fluently and confidently has been the key. He has come a long way in the 16 months he's been back racing in New Zealand from North America."

Delft has a career record to back up his former wayward racing manners - 14 wins and one placing from 36 starts.

He looked vulnerable on the opening night of this series, when, after leading, he was headed in the home stretch, but he fought back gallantly to post a narrow victory.

On the second night, he was in brutal form, charging straight to the front and running the sprint finishing ability out of the opposition.

Wallis is tipping Delft will strip far fitter for today's, daunting words when you consider the manner of his clear-cut victory last week.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY