Racing: Temporale set to close up Lemond gap, says Tony Herlihy

Temporale driven by Tony Herlihy. Photo / Greg Bowker

Temporale is ready to close the gap on his arch rival Lemond at Alexandra Park tonight. The question is will he close it enough?

The north's emerging open class trotters clash in the feature 1700m mobile race at a truncated meeting tonight, with Lemond having clearly outpointed his five-year-old buddy last start.

But on that occasion Lemond had the benefit of two searching prep runs whereas Temporale was fresh up for the season, with trainer-driver Tony Herlihy adamant he is taking a fitter horse to the races tonight.

"He has grown a lot since last year and is a really big horse now so he needed that fresh-up run," says Herlihy of last season's Rowe Cup winner.

"So I think he will be better and I think the mobile 1700m will suit us. But whether we close the gap all the way on Lemond is hard to know until we get out there.

"But I think if we don't beat him this week, we will go very close."

Lemond does look stronger and more mentally mature than last season, though, so could easily win again, with the pair having already established a great rivalry, one northern trotting fans will be hoping continues for a few seasons yet.

The other class act of the night is Motown, who should win race six as his 30m carded handicap is now actually only 20m with the scratching of the sole front marker.

The early finish at tonight's meeting may suit Inter Dominon fans so they can sneak in a nap before the final round of heats at Gloucester Park in Perth ahead of Sunday's barrier draw.

Kiwi champ Lazarus should finally win a heat even from a wide draw in a very moderate race but you will have to stay up until 2am on Saturday to see it.

More interestingly leading into the final will be the clash of styles between Chicago Bull and Tiger Tara (11.54pm) and series star Soho Tribeca attempting to overcome the widest draw in his heat against Lennytheshark and San Carlo.