By MICHAEL GUERIN
BRISBANE - During every Interdominion there is that one moment.
That moment when the series transcends from just a bunch of open class races thrown together in a short space of time to the playground of the legends.
It is what makes the annual transtasman harness racing tournament one of the great racing series of the world.
On paper the fields are no stronger and the stakes no higher than a series like the Moonee Valley summer carnival or even a good New Zealand or Auckland Cup carnival.
But the Inters remain the greatest of all carnivals for their ability to produce that one moment to ignite public interest and produce the feeling you are witnessing something special.
At Albion Park on Saturday night Courage Under Fire produced one of those moments.
The former age group champion went into this series with his reputation in tatters after poor summer form and looked in danger of becoming a cautionary tale of why winning teams should never be broken up.
But when it mattered most, when the little stallion had to stand up and be counted on Saturday night, an old friend returned - the real Courage Under Fire.
He sat three wide for the middle section of the mile heat before waiting on the back of staying goliath Yulestar, who had crushed his other opponents by the 400m mark.
Yulestar shot clear and it looked as though Courage Under Fire was going to settle for second.
Then he found something resembling his name. He put his little ears back and let his heart power his muscles. He grabbed Yulestar right on the line.
The crowd went berserk as Courage Under Fire, who is ridiculously racing in the series under the Queensland banner, returned to scale.
The victory indicated Courage Under Fire has thrown off the testosterone-fuelled problems which have helped to ruin his season and is now a threat to series big guns Atitagain, Shakamaker and Yulestar.
These Inters, and Courage Under Fire, have a long way to go yet, but as a $6.50 chance to win the series at least he is in the game. And so too now are the crowd.
Trainer-driver Brian Hancock, who was winning his record 21st Interdom heat, was trying to keep a lid on the Courage Under Fire hysteria but the victory was a major confidence booster for the trainer's spirits.
"I knew he was coming back to it. We are in with a shot at this thing now," said Hancock.
Of those who stand in front of Courage Under Fire, series favourite Atitagain ($3.25) was the most commanding on Saturday night.
He worked away from an impossible position on the markers to sit parked and win in the manner of a horse who is going to handle the rigours of the series better than most. The favourite's crown sits easily on his head.
"He is only going to get better and he is going to hurt some horses during this series," said trainer-driver Dennis Wilson.
Even in defeat Yulestar was just as impressive as Courage Under Fire and will be better suited by the longer heats while the run of the night among the pacers came from New Zealander Pocket Me.
The Tim Butt-trained gelding paced the fastest race mile ever in Australia when he roared to the front and unleashed a 1:53.8 time which left even defending champion Shakamaker in his wake, although the latter finished strongly and was a victim of circumstances.
The win came just days after Pocket Me's sale to a United States owner for over $200,000 but he will complete this series in his current ownership.
"He has always been a bit under-rated and if a horse like Atitagain or Shakamaker had come out and run that time people would think they were a champion," said Butt of the $13 Grand Final chance.
"He should make the final now and with the right draw he can win it."
While his performance was an unexpected bonus for the Kiwis, just as unexpected was Holmes D G's dramatic failure in the first heat.
The hot favourite broke a hopple shortener in the run-up, forcing driver Barry Purdon to release the other. That left him flatfooted at the start and he never recovered, running a moderate fourth.
He will now need to produce his best form from tough draws to make the Grand Final.
Of the other New Zealand hopes, Ouch was never a chance after getting too far back but has a better draw in tomorrow night's second round heat, Pic Me Pockets raced below his best and will struggle to make the final and Flight South showed once again she is not the same mare when asked to work early in her races.
But when the dust had settled, this was Courage Under Fire's night. His moment. And the greatest carnival in harness racing was alive.
Harness racing: Courage victory sets Interdominions alight
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