By Michael Guerin
Maurice McKendry can’t make up his mind and he is hoping he won’t have to any time soon.
Because the champion horseman says he doesn’t know whether Hughie Green or The Orange Agent is the better horse.
McKendry, one of only two horseman to have reined over 3000 winners in New Zealand, finds himself the driver for two of the most exciting horses in pacing, who are potentially on an Auckland Cup collision course.
Both are trained by Brian Hughes and starred in vastly different arenas over the weekend.
Hughie Green bolted clear of former Taylor Mile winner Besotted for an effortless comeback win at Alexandra Park last Friday while 16 hours later The Orange Agent broke the Pukekohe 2050m mobile track record winning a workout.
She has her first start since winning the Breeders Crown at Melton in August when she takes on Sky Major over 1700m at Alexandra Park on Friday.
Both are likely to be nominated for the Auckland Cup but it looks a more likely target for Hughie Green as The Orange Agent can be set for the group one Queen Of Hearts on December 18 and also has raft for four-year-old options her year-older stablemate does not.
“To be honest if I had to choose between the pair right now I wouldn’t know which way I would go,” says McKendry.
“They are very different horses and maybe from an Auckland Cup point of view Hughie Green would be better suited because he has the standing start experience.
“I don’t think the mare will head that way at this stage which will suit me fine.” McKendry may have left his native Methven decades ago but he has always retained his southern understatement, although cracks in that armour appear when he discusses his current pair of superstar driving engagements.
“They both have real speed and stamina, which gives them that high cruising speed.
“Sometimes when you are driving Hughie is it like you are a passenger sitting on a train watching him cruise past very good horses, he just does it that easy. It is quite freakish.
“So to have the two of them to drive at the same time is a nice feeling.”
The entries for the Auckland Cup close on Friday so TAB bookies should open their first market next week, with Have Faith In Me likely to be the favourite ahead of the likes of Sky Major, Tiger Tara, Hughie Green and Mossdale Conner, with The Orange Agent likely to be longer because of the uncertainty over her Cup plans.
But while McKendry has plenty of respect for Have Faith In Me, he also has a warning for those backing him and his wayward standing start manners in the Cup.
“Hughie feels really safe from a stand and Have Faith In Me couldn’t give him a five length start and beat him,” he says matter-of-factly.
Meanwhile, driver Zac Butcher has escaped suspension for Sky Major flattening the tyre of Mossdale Conner in the New Zealand Free-For-All, instead being fined $800.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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