Racing: Smoken Up burns in Interdom trial

Smoken Up (left) leads Captain Joy as they test the Alexandra Park surface. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Lance Justice had a very Australian question on his lips as Smoken Up pulled up from a perfect Alexandra Park workout yesterday.

"What odds are we for the final?" asked Justice.

Not that the Victorian trainer-driver was off to have a bet, but you get the feeling a few of his mates might be after Smoken Up handled his Alexandra Park comeback with ease.

The Miracle Mile winner easily held out fellow Aussie pacer Captain Joy at the end of a private 2400m workout in 3:04.5, strolling over the last 400m in 27.8 seconds.

While such times are only moderate for a 1:50.4 Miracle Mile winner like Smoken Up, what impressed most was that he negotiated the final bend with no fuss.

The final bend at Alexandra Park is always the one which trips up newcomers to the track, although Smoken Up did race on the right-handed circuit four times, for three placings, four years ago when trained by John and David Butcher.

"I didn't think the bend would be a problem but when I brought Sokyola here in 2005 he hated it," said Justice.

"But I'm thrilled with the way this horse got around it. He steered straight and felt really relaxed.

"I don't think it is going to be an issue in the series."

Smoken Up occasionally touches a knee at speed on smaller tracks and would be troubled if asked to come wide on that final bend at speed but considering he is always either in front or parked out in his races, such a scenario is highly unlikely.

And even more unlikely now Auckland Reactor has been scratched from the opening heat on Friday night, suggesting Smoken Up will be able to work his way to the front without too much difficulty.

"I am glad Auckland Reactor is out because he could have made life tricky by getting in front and pulling," said Justice. "But now I'll be heading for the front."

After three years of using Smoken Up as an equine sledgehammer, Justice has earned the respect needed to secure the pacemaking role, especially as those drawn inside him will be loath to get into a war when a trail will ensure big points and an almost certain berth in the April 8 final.

Oh, and the answer to Justice's question?

After Auckland Reactor was scratched yesterday Smoken Up moved in from $9 to $7 for the final, a quote which looks certain to shorten after, and maybe even before, Friday night's heat.

Captain Joy was left blowing after the workout, in which he finished half a length behind Smoken Up, but caretaker trainer Michael Doltoff was happy with the work.

"He takes a lot of work and that was exactly what he needs," said Doltoff.

"I know nobody over here rates him but you only have to go back to his run here last season behind Tintin In America in the Messenger to realise how good he is.

"I know what he can do so I don't care what anybody else thinks."

Captain Joy, who was a freakish 3-year-old but has tasted little success since, will be driven by David Butt and faces a tricky second-line draw in the second heat.

TAB markets for the heats will be released today, a day later after Auckland Reactor's scratching caused a rethink.

SMOKEN AUSSIE

* Smoken Up impresses in his return to Alexandra Park.
*He shapes as the pacer to beat in the first Interdominion heat on Friday night.
*The Miracle Mile winner has shortened into $7 for the April 8 final.