Racing: More than money at stake

For a trio of Kiwis, tonight's A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire is about so much more than the money.

New trainer Barry Purdon, driver Tony Herlihy and part-owner Tim Vince will be in Sydney when Born Again Christian tries to extend New Zealand's exceptional record in Australia's richest 4-year-old pace.

Winning the race would be nothing new for Purdon, who has trained the winner three times before, two of them driven by Herlihy.

And Vince is no stranger to the winner's circle after racing several superstars from the Mark Purdon stable in recent years.

But for all three, victory tonight would be a chance to honour the late John Seaton, their close friend.

Seaton, who died suddenly in Christchurch in November, was New Zealand's biggest owner of standardbreds, among them Born Again Christian.

The talented 4-year-old is still part-owned by Seaton's estate and success tonight would be the first group-one win by one of his horses since his tragic death.

And Herlihy is one who believes the pacer can provide the emotional victory.

New Zealand's greatest reinsman will be having his first racenight drive on Born Again Christian but partnered him to beat a hot workouts field at Alexandra Park last Saturday.

"He felt great and is a lovely strong horse," said Herlihy. "He came his last 800m on Saturday around 56 seconds and I know Barry is very happy with him so I think he will be hard to beat."

That run continued Born Again Christian's stunning form since November, when he was the country's most-hyped two-win pacer but posted some reputation-denting losses.

He won premier races at the New Zealand Cup carnival and two more at the Auckland Cup meeting, his only defeat since November having come when he was unlucky from a second-line draw.

"Having watched him race, he seems to have a bit of everything - speed, stamina and manners - and he will make a cup horse in time," said Herlihy.

"I have picked a good time to get on him."

Born Again Christian has drawn the outside of the front line but meets the weakest field in the 10-year history of the race after the scratching this week of favourite Roman Gladiator and the failure of hotshots The Sentry and Fake Denario to make the field.

That means Victorian pacer Zaneden is the likely favourite even though most of his racing has been in weakish grade events. He impressed when beating several of tonight's rivals two weeks ago at Harold Park, but would have met few of Born Again Christian's class.

The race also contains speedsters Slipnslide and Petousa but they lack the strength of the two favourites so it should be a war between Born Again Christian and Zaneden.

If Born Again Christian gives New Zealand its seventh Chariots trophy in 11 attempts, Herlihy won't be able to celebrate it too much as he has another major assignment at Ballarat tomorrow night.

He links up there with Great Northern Derby winner Badlands Bute in a heat of the Victoria Derby.

Badlands Bute is one of six New Zealand-trained pacers competing in the three heats, where they must finish in the first three to be guaranteed a start in the A$150,000 classic at Moonee Valley next Saturday.

Baileys Dream should win the first heat, and Tribute will be too good for fellow New Zealand reps Place Of Glory and Strauss.

But Badlands Bute faces the toughest task, taking on talented locals The Black Gem and Sir Galvinator, both of whom have drawn the front line.

"It won't be easy to win from the second line but I am very happy with the way he is going," said Herlihy.

"I drove him to win the workouts last Saturday and he went his last 800m in 56.3 seconds so he will be pretty spot-on."

The Ballarat track is one of the best in Australia and providing Badlands Bute can get a good cart into the race, he must still be rated the favourite over the Australians.

Aussie adventure

* Tony Herlihy will drive two outstanding New Zealand pacers in Australia this weekend.

* He pairs with Born Again Christian in tonight's A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire at Harold Park in Sydney.

* He then heads to Ballarat to drive Badlands Bute in a heat of the Victoria Derby tomorrow night.

* Kiwi pacers dominate the three Victoria Derby heats.