KEY POINTS:
The Graeme Rogerson express is ready to leave the station at Cambridge tonight.
But it has suffered one slight setback - losing its driver.
Legendary galloping trainer Rogerson will launch his career as a harness racing trainer at tonight's Morrinsville meeting, with three runners from the Hamilton stable
he has established with partner Peter Simpson.
The pair now have 20 harness horses in work, headed by Top Tempo, a high-class mare formerly trained by Mark Purdon.
She resumes in race four but will be minus the new stable's foreman and regular driver Gavin Smith.
Smith asked Rogerson if he could drive unbeaten three-year-old Cullens Legacy in the same race, meaning Tony Herlihy was called on to pilot Top Tempo.
"I can see where Gavin is coming from because that other horse (Cullens Legacy) could be his drive in the Sires' Stakes Final," said Rogerson.
"Gavin is part of our team here so I said he could drive the other horse and I don't think we lose too much in reinsmanship having Tony on."
Smith appears to have pulled the right rein as Cullens Legacy should not only win tonight but looks a realistic chance in the Sires' Stakes final on November 13.
With superior fitness and a better draw he should beat Top Tempo tonight.
But Rogey wouldn't be Rogey unless he thought he could win.
"I think she might be a little bit short but I wouldn't be surprised to see her win."
The partnership also lines up Ultimo (race two) and Carlos (race 10), both chances in weak fields.
"Carlos went very well at the workouts last week and he has to be a chance, but it is pretty hard to improve on Mark Purdon [former trainer]."
Rogerson is looking forward to his official New Zealand debut as a harness racing trainer tonight, describing the venture as a "bit of fun, a family affair".
"There will be a whole heap of us going along on Thursday and we are enjoying it.
"I think harness racing is going well and I hope people think having us in the industry is a positive thing."
There are plenty of sellers who certainly do, with the Rogerson-Simpson combination having spent up large at yearling and ready-to-run sales.
Rogerson says he will not apply for his race driving licence until next season even though he has been driving in private workouts at home.
"I might start at the workouts after Christmas," he said.
In coming weeks his focus will change back to galloping though, as he heads to Melbourne for the serious end of the spring carnival.
"And we have still got 88 horses to bring back in work in Sydney. They have all had a break because of EI." Regardless of how Rogey's first representatives go at Cambridge tonight, harness racing may never be the same.
