By Michael Guerin
Loyalty to a racehorse can be an expensive business.
But that's obviously not how somebody close to unheard of Queensland pacer Journey's End views life.
Journey's End is the first Aussie arrival for next month's Alexandra Park Interdominions and his presence won't exactly have Christian Cullen looking for somewhere to hide.
But that didn't stop a mini-assualt on the New Zealand TAB yesterday.
In one of the gutsiest bets of the season, a Pukekohe-based punter outlayed $2200 at odds ranging from $80 to $35 and now stands to win $122,000 should Journey's End pull off the Interdom Grand Final.
Their biggest problem won't be the right-handed track or the four hard races in a fortnight. It will be ability.
Journey's End has had 80 starts for 25 wins but hasn't topped $100,000 in stakes and much of his racing has been in Queensland, where genuine Interdominion Grand Final chances are as rare as icebergs.
Journey's End has settled in well in New Zealand for trainer Frank McNab and will have his first public workout at Pukekohe on Sunday.
He will then tackle a stunning field in the Flying Mile at Cambridge next Thursday night.
"I think Frank realises the horse is up against it during this series but he has paced under 1:56 for a mile so he has earned the right to be here," said Pukekohe trainer Richard Hooper, who is hosting Journey's End.
Journey's End is now clearly the worst result in the Interdominions for the TAB, with Agua Caliente another who has been backed to win a fortune.
Sir Vancelot overlooked
While Journey's End has had his supporters on the fixed odds, leading Aussie hope Our Sir Vancelot has been virtually ignored and his trainer Brian Hancock is laughing.
The champion Australian trainer didn't need to worry when the final rankings for the Interdominions were released on Tuesday, with his stable pair of Our Sir Vancelot and Quantum Lobell already assured of starts.
As defending champion, Our Sir Vancelot is an automatic No 1 in the rankings while Quantum Lobell was 13th.
But in reality Christian Cullen is just about everybody's first pick, including the TAB who have him a $1.75.
"I know Christian Cullen is the horse to beat in the series but the New Zealand TAB having my horse at $10 is a joke," said Hancock.
"He has won the last two series and he has to be first or second pick in my mind. He will be spot on for it."
Our Sir Vancelot has not been as dominant in Australia this season as in the last two and his Interdom assault is made more difficult as he has to adjust to the right-handed track.
Hancock admits that is a worry and will ask NSW harness racing officials to run a special right-handed trial on the Bulli track on Saturday for his pair.
"They work well right-handed at home but it is different on racenight."
Hancock's confidence has been boosted by his close friend, training legend Roy Purdon.
"Roy told me not to worry about the track because it will be fine and you have to listen to a man like him."
While Christian Cullen has gone on a front-running rampage throughout Australasia this season, Hancock says that could help Our Sir Vancelot as he tries to become the first Interdom champion to threepeat.
"At least Christian Cullen will make sure the pace is on and hopefully we can sit back and have one crack at him.
"But I would like to see the club keep them apart in the heats. They are the first two in the rankings and I think that would be a good idea."
Cullen on parade
While Christian Cullen won't be among the stars warming up for the Interdoms at Alexandra Park on Saturday night fans of the champ will still get to see him.
The flying 4-year-old will parade between races five and six.
Christian Cullen may not be Cardigan Bay just yet but he is starting to rival the legendary one in the parade department.
He has already been shown off at Addington, Moonee Valley and even Ellerslie and you can bet Saturday night's parade will not be his last.
Franco off to enforce America
One brilliant open class pacer who will not be parading anywhere near Alexandra Park again is Franco Enforce.
The former dual Derby winner flies to the United States this week where he will join champion trainer Brett Pelling. Owner Wayne Francis retains an interest in the gelding.
Franco Enforce was a fine third in the New Zealand Cup in November but his Auckland Cup run was a shocker.
"We were starting to jog him up again when we realised he had more opportunities in the States," said trainer John Hay.
"If he stayed here he would have to race Christian Cullen and then take on Courage Under Fire next season."
Hay's other open class star, There's A Franco, is in foal to Falcon Seelster and will be retired after the Easter Cup in April.
Horse Racing: Australians in for expensive journey
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