Sovereignty is ready to tackle the open class, says driver Maurice McKendry. Photo / Alan Gibson
Sovereignty is ready for the biggest test of his life tonight.
That is the opinion of champion reinsman Maurice McKendry heading into the $50,000 Lyell Creek Stakes at Alexandra Park.
The race is named in honour of our greatest trotter so is a fitting open class starting point
for Sovereignty, who is one of the best young trotters produced in this part of the world.
The reigning Trotter of the Year stepped most of the way into the big time last Friday when he downed some open class rivals, albeit with the aid of a 30m headstart over comeback mare One Over Kenny.
With tonight's race being a mobile, the pair meet off level marks and that will see many punters opting for outstanding mare One Over Kenny to turn the tables on Sovereignty.
But McKendry says she will have to be very good to do that.
"One Over Kenny is exceptional and she might be too experienced for us - but our fella is pretty good too.
"She will have to go a big race to beat us."
McKendry believes the mobile start will suit Sovereignty, who has been a touch "dopey" from the standing starts so far this campaign.
He will have the advantage of race fitness over One Over Kenny since she was checked into a gallop when about to challenge at the 450m last Friday.
That meant she didn't get a chance to stretch her lungs so could still be on the way up for tonight's race.
"But she was going well when she galloped last week and I think she is better for the run," said One Over Kenny's trainer-driver Tony Herlihy.
"She will take some beating."
One of the night's other features sees an intriguing clash between southern fillies Imagine Me and Ardens Darlin against quality northern rivals Lauraella and Arden Banner in the Breckon Memorial Ladyship Stakes.
The four are relatively evenly matched on ability so luck in the running over the 2200m will play a crucial role.
Later in the programme, emerging star Stunin Cullen has the best of the draws as he seeks to extend his winning sequence to four in the $25,000 Alabar Northern Stakes, which features most of the star 3-year-old male pacers.
The TAB will provide final field fixed odds betting on all races tonight from 8.30am.
