KEY POINTS:
One Over Kenny unleashed the newest weapon in her armory at Alexandra Park last night - manners.
For most of this season the 5-year-old mare has looked set to become the new queen of New Zealand trotting with her only stumbling block appearing to be her dependability under pressure.
But she stomped all over those fears last night, guaranteeing herself favouritism for next Friday's Rowe Cup by winning the final lead-up race.
While front markers like Galleons Assassin and Smart Seeker were blowing things early, One Over Kenny made a flyer from her 20m backmark and was soon in front.
That gave driver Tony Herlihy the option of handing the lead away to stablemate Allegro Agitato with 1600m to run and then using the passing lane to win the race untouched.
While Pompallier was fantastic running second, Allegro Agitato solid in third and the likes of Play On eye-catching when running on, it is hard to see how most of last night's racers will beat One Over Kenny next Friday.
The Rowe Cup is over 3200m, which will suit her even better, and although she has to start off a 10m handicap she will open a warm favourite in fixed odds markets.
Of those who can win the Rowe, only Our Sunny Whiz was not among the vanquished last night and the two 5-year-old mares will dominate betting on the race.
The win was one of four for driver Tony Herlihy, who also won with One Over Kenny's former stablemate Lady Segil, Ambro The Thug and Sly Flyin.
Sly Flyin recorded the 27th win of his amazing career with an effortless victory in the $20,000 pacing free-for-all and his $1.40 dividend actually looked good value soon after the start. It was his fourth win in the last six weeks.
The veteran blasted straight to the front and controlled the race, cruising through the middle 800m before scampering his last 800m in 55.6sec, the last 400 in 27sec.
Those sectionals gave those behind him no chance to make ground, with trailer Jag Star holding out Mi Muchacho for second.
The latter, last season's second Auckland Cup winner, at least found the line well and looks to be racing more soundly than at any other stage this season.
* A disastrous week culminated in the biggest moment of Philippa Wakelin's career last night.
The Canterbury trainer-driver must have been wondering what she did to upset the Gods of racing just eight days ago when her two stable stars, Awesome Imace and Sun Lad, were well beaten at the start of their northern campaigns.
To make matters worse, Awesome Imace then caught a cold which will force him out of next Friday's Rowe Cup, leaving just Sun Lad to represent the stable Wakelin runs with her fiance, Stephen Noble.
But he was all they needed as a patient drive from Wakelin saw Sun Lad outstay the best 3-year-old trotters in the country to win the $60,000 NRM Sires Stakes Championship.
The son of champion sire Sundon made up for his home-stretch gallop on his northern debut last Friday by swooping to the lead at the top of the straight and then holding out Holiday Lover and King Charlie.
