By Michael Guerin
Cedar Fella will meet the toughest opponent of his life during the Interdominions - himself.
The giant South Island trotter has proved in the past he can overcome almost anything.
He fought back from what looked a career-ending breakdown during the 1995 Inters at Addington to become one of New Zealand's most popular squaregaiters.
And though he has been troubled by constant leg soreness, Cedar Fella shone among the stars when winning the Dominion Handicap and taking the scalps of Buster Hanover, Knight Pistol, Special Force, Pride Of Petite and Sundon's Way.
So trainer Warren Stapleton goes into racing's toughest series fearing none of his stable star's rivals. He just worries about the toll Cedar Fella will take on himself.
"I know in the past his biggest worry has been his legs but I can honestly say he is going into this 100 per cent sound," said Stapleton.
"I couldn't be happier with his his condition. If he's beaten in the first round he will have no excuses."
It is not the first round that worries Stapleton. Or maybe even the second. It is when the real trench warfare of the Interdoms starts.
The series suits horses with quick recovery rates and effortless styles. That is where Cedar Fella's problem lies.
At over 17 hands high and 550 kilos he is a mammoth. And bending that sort of bulk around a racetrack at breakneck speed doesn't do much for the old body.
Especially a 1000m track considerably smaller than the roomy expanses of Ashburton of Addington.
Because of his unsoundness Cedar Fella has not been asked to race as close together as he will in the next fortnight and Stapleton admits that could affect the free-goer.
"I am not saying it will, but he is a very big horse and he could get a bit tired as the series rolls on. He is that sort of horse," he said.
"But if he doesn't then they could all be in trouble because he is as good as any trotter here."
Like all trainers Stapleton says he leaves the race tactics to his driver but you get the feeling he would be thrilled to see Cedar Fella use his gate speed to press toward the lead tonight.
"He is a very good front runner and I have no worries about him handling the track so I can see him going out of the gate."
The race looks one of the highlights of the night, with a very fast front line certain to turn on the fireworks early and Aussie warhorse Knight Pistol likely to ensure there is no mucking around in the middle stages.
That could set the 2200m event up for an upset, with under-rated mare Africa one of those most likely to profit from the front line going too hard early. Her latest effort here was superb and she looks one of the each way value bets of the night.
Horse Racing: Cedar Fella his own worst enemy
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