By MICHAEL GUERIN
BRISBANE - Mountain Gold has started the Interdominions by doing the near impossible - twice.
The Auckland trotter produced the performance of the night at Albion Park on Saturday with an unbelievable win in the second heat of the trotting championships.
The only thing harder than winning from a 30m backmark in a sprint at Albion Park is doing it by coming six wide on the home bend.
But to do that after locking wheels and being checked inside the last 300m is staggering.
Mountain Gold reaffirmed trainer Barry Purdon's faith in him with his Horse of the Night performance as he nosed out Sundon's Way in a race he had no right to win.
What he achieved on the track was incredible but what he achieved off it was just as awesome.
The lanky trotter had driver Maurice McKendry singing his praises in a most un-McKendry like way.
McKendry has won a world championship, driven more than 2000 winners and driven one of New Zealand's true trotting greats in David Moss, but his skills in the sulky are not matched by his skills as an orator. When it comes to horses he never gets carried away.
So when he says Mountain Gold felt better on Saturday night then any trotter he has driven that is about as big a compliment as you will ever.
"He trotted incredible and he was just bolting in the running. He locked wheels on the home turn and got checked in the straight but if he had got a clear run he would have gone straight past them," said McKendry.
"He has to be a big chance in the final on that."
The run was the best of Mountain Gold's career, with Purdon attributing his dramatic improvement since his battling Rowe Cup fifth to increased fitness.
And Purdon does not believe those critics who suggest a hard 3157m Grand Final on Saturday will not suit Mountain Gold.
"He won a Rowe Cup on a wet track. The distance won't worry him."
Which means the only thing standing between Mountain Gold and Interdom glory is Last Sunset. And he will be standing 30m ahead of him.
That is the head start Mountain Gold will have to give Last Sunset, who won Saturday's first trotting heat effortlessly.
As expected he found the lead early and was never tested but his last mile in 1:59.2 confirmed him as series favourite.
"I couldn't be happier with him and he will be very hard to catch on this track," said driver Tony Herlihy, who until three starts ago was the regular driver of Mountain Gold, who had the faster time.
While the pair dominate, Last Sunset is at $2.50 to win the championships and Mountain Gold at $4.50, Tim Butt is not giving up on Take A Moment.
He galloped and lost his winning chance behind Last Sunset but ran on well.
"I still think he can win the series but he is going to need a lot of luck because the handicapper has been tough on him."
Sundon's Way looks the only other chance but he had to beat Mountain Gold after having a far better run.
"I was sure I had won. Even when Lyell Creek isn't here he can't get one," said trainer-driver Marl Purdon of the gelding who has not won for 19 months.
Of the other Kiwis, Special Force looks well below the fitness needed to win, while Eastnor Lad and Timmo are out of their depth.
Harness racing: Purdon's faith returns gold
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