Racing: No easy road taking on Freeway

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Nobody is in a better position than Todd MacFarlane to judge the horse to beat in tonight's main race at Alexandra Park.

And unfortunately for MacFarlane, the Pukekohe trainer doesn't believe it is his rising star Scott Dixon.

Scott Dixon takes a huge leap in grade in tonight's seventh race after winning a one-win race here last Thursday. But everything he has done in his short career suggests he is headed for better things.

He was awesome winning his debut four starts ago before having bad luck in his next two runs and then bolting in against another lower-grade star, Myson Dylan, last week.

And while MacFarlane rates his stable runner highly, he admits tonight's race may be too big a step at this stage.

And he should know, as lately he has been regular driver for the horse Scott Dixon has to beat tonight, Montana Freeway.

MacFarlane has driven Montana Freeway into close seconds at his last two starts and says he may have a mental edge on Scott Dixon at this stage, even though as the latter's trainer he must drive him.

"The way Montana Freeway has gone in his last two I am not sure we can beat him," said MacFarlane.

"He might be a little too mature for Scotty at this stage.

"Montana Freeway is so versatile he can be driven forward or come with one run if he needs too.

"And his form has been in this grade, while my horse is still very much on the way up."

MacFarlane also says the barrier draws which appear to be in Scott Dixon's favour may not be off any great assistance.

"I know we are drawn inside the better pacers but I don't think Scott has the experience to use that at this stage.

"So if he is going to win again he may have to come from off the pace to do it, which won't be easy in a field this good.

"But regardless of what happens this week I think punters should stick with him because he is only going to keep getting better."

While MacFarlane has built a good relationship with Montana Freeway, tonight the pacer will have the best replacement driver in the business, Tony Herlihy.

As the front line contains several quick beginners and some rugged stayers the race could be set up for a horse like Montana Freeway to swoop on the leaders late.

An interesting runner is Enunciator, who has not been seen since a huge first-up third last month.

On that occasion he showed high gate speed to lead, was taken on and only just went down so he should strip fitter tonight.

If he can find the front again and give driver Tony Shaw some options he could upset the favourites.

Teepee Town is another having only his second run this campaign and was gallant in defeat at Cambridge last start so is worth following in coming weeks. Boys Will Be Boys, Village Crusader and the enigmatic Rhonite Rock add to a race that should provide punters with plenty of value options.

Tonight's other feature is the main trot, which will be the fifth leg of the $100,000 PickSix.

The small field plays into the hands of backmarker Wedding Sun, who was second on his Alexandra Park debut last week but a lot will depend on the manners of good mare Cool Khali.

She won easily here two starts ago but galloped last week. Being the outside horse on the 10m mark may help her get away safely and if she does so she will be hard for the backmarkers to catch.