While Herlihy is always cautious about labelling his horses anything special, he has a big opinion of Livingontheinterest.
"I have always liked him but he has just kept on improving, lately," he said.
"He feels like a good horse now and he will be hard to beat this week because from barrier one he has a few options."
The most likely of which is leading and then only handing up that role if a genuine freegoer challenged and provided him with the perfect tow to the passing lane.
Even up against Fulla Luck, who looks a certain improver on his fresh-up second last week, Livingontheinterest is tonight's best Pick6 anchor.
Punters should be willing to settle for just two horses in the second leg, with Devil Dodger and Sir Lincoln good enough to overcome their big handicaps in a small field.
Devil Dodger would appear the better bet as he gets a 10m start from his arch-rival but in three of Sir Lincoln's past four wins Devil Dodger has finished second, always by less than a neck.
Neither is ideally suited to 2700m tonight but with his good standing start manners Devil Dodger won't get a better chance to exact some revenge.
Also facing a huge handicap tonight is Neville Vaughan, who starts off 55m behind in the last race.
He has been the winter trotting star at Alexandra Park yet has not been re-handicapped for winning virtually exactly the same race last start.
He was, however, aided by some key rivals being luckless that night so punters should shy away from anchoring him in Pick6 tonight.
Interdominion champion Smoken Up will return to racing in Victoria tonight with his greatest triumph still in doubt.
The iron horse resumes in a $20,000 free-for-all and faces a second-line draw over the 1720m at 11.42 NZ time.
It will be his first race since his amazing 1:48.5 mile at Menangle on April 30 but, more importantly, his win in the Interdom Final at Alexandra Park in April is still under threat.
Smoken Up returned a positive to DMSO after that race and the hearing of the resulting charges is not until August 23-24 in Wellington.
"I wasn't going to race him until that was all cleared up but he is simply doing too well, so needs some races," said trainer Lance Justice.
Best bet: Livingontheinterest (Alex Park, R9): Looks a class pacer and should lead or trail. Wins regardless.
Best eachway: Merv (R7): Big run after attacking last Friday. Never goes a bad race.
Unlucky: Royal Affair (R1): Got pushed back last Friday and ran on well. In poor field tonight.
Unlucky II: Abide With Me (R3): Stormed home at Cambridge last Thursday and following right horse out tonight to get an easy trip.
Well placed: Indigo Joe (R3): Beat similar field last Friday but doesn't go up in grade.
