Racing: Lyell close to topping $3m

The greatest trotter ever seen in this country is back for another shot at group one success in tonight's New Zealand Trotting Championship.

And while Lyell Creek is clearly not the dominating horse he once was, an unlucky 6th in the Interdominion Final has trainer Tim Butt optimistic his winning days are not yet over.

"It was a funny race," said Butt. "The ones up front just kept on running and never came back to them. But I thought he ran on as well as Delft.

"The end of the road is definitely getting a lot closer. He can't make his own luck like he used to but he's working really good and he's got a chance. We'll see how he goes and then have a think about the Rowe Cup."

Lyell Creek currently sits just over $4000 short of $3 million in stakes earnings, a New Zealand harness racing record that will take many years to be broken.

While it is usually ill advised to say that specific achievements in horse racing will never be replicated, in the case of Lyell Creek some such things can be said with assurance.

In particular, in these days of breeding and training changes meaning horses peak and decline at earlier ages, it is nearly impossible to imagine racegoers will ever again see a rising 12-year-old still so competitive at the highest level.

"These days he really needs things to go his way to be able to win," said Butt. "And if a horse like Allegro Agitato performs up to her best then she's probably just a little bit better than him now."

Phil Williamson, the trainer of Allegro Agitato, doesn't necessarily share that sentiment.

"While she's definitely got the ability, horses like Lyell Creek are able to consistently produce their best. Just when it looked like she was beginning to do that she broke at the start of the Final."

Allegro Agitato will be seeking back-to-back Trotting Champs victories and Williamson isn't overly concerned at being drawn on the outside of the front line.

"She won from nine last year. It's not too much of a worry but if Tony [Herlihy] takes her back at the start then she will need a good pace."

Williamson will also be hoping for a solid clip up front to assist his other chance, Jasmyn's Gift, who is likely to get back in the field despite her handy draw.

"She's very ordinary out of the mobile, she's just got no gate-speed actually. She's also not as quick as the top ones and needs a strong pace. If they go 3:16 or faster I give her a chance."

Tonight's other group one race, the New Zealand Derby, sees Baileys Dream seeking to reassert his position at the top of an even 3-year-old crop. His trainer Steven Reid was pleased with the Dream Away gelding's victory in last week's Flying Stakes, despite a relatively small winning margin.

"When you look at the sectionals he ran, I was 100 per cent happy with him," said Reid, "especially when we considered him to be a run short.

"He's also never been a horse who's won by huge margins. He's a big gawky horse and can muck around a bit. He'll have improved with the run.

"The only concern was his steering. We put a fixed-pole on him after Cambridge because Todd [Mitchell, driver] said he wanted to run in.

"Then last week he wanted to run out so we've taken it off and he'll race with just a rein-pole, which he's had on for all his wins."

Reid rates Revagain as the main danger to Baileys Dream, unless Badlands Bute, who has drawn one, gets the perfect run.

"If he trails us," said Reid, "I'll be hugely worried."

TAB bookmakers opened Baileys Dream as a $1.85 favourite for the Derby, ahead of Badlands Bute at $5.50 and Revagain at $7.50.

In the Trotters Champs Lyell Creek opened at $3.50, followed by Allegro Agitato at $4 and Jasmyn's Gift at $8.

Derby night

* The TAB has Baileys Dream as a $1.70 favourite for the $100,000 NZ Derby.

* His trainer, Steven Reid, rates Revagain the main danger.

* In the Trotting Champs, Lyell Creek is back for another shot at group one glory.

* Could it be the rising 12-year-old's final fling?