By Michael Guerin
After taking its share of body blows the Interdominions are ready to fight back and deliver a knockout punch.
This year's Alexandra Park carnival has copped some punishment.
Opening in a clash with the first Eden Park night rugby game - especially a Blues-Crusaders clash - was a brutal introduction.
Then to lose Christian Cullen. That hurt so much we almost didn't notice Agua Caliente and Merinai fall by the wayside just days later.
And the Auckland weather hasn't been too bad during the carnival. Except on racenight, when it has rained at least once every night.
But Auckland Trotting Club officials are not taking their bad luck lying down and tomorrow night they will fight back, at great expense.
"It has been tough to lose horses like Christian Cullen and company but we are still confident Grand Finals night will be huge," said ATC president Brian Meale yesterday.
"To have two horses, Sir Vancelot and Pride Of Petite, each aiming to become the first triple Interdominion champions on the same night is something special, as well as the other great fields.
"In the support card we have the likes of Holmes D G. So we couldn't have asked for more fields wise."
Off the track the ATC has invested heavily to maximise their exposure from the series. With Grand Final night certain to draw a giant crowd the club wants to put on a show that will ensure customers will return for future meetings.
The last race will be followed by a huge lazer display and a band until after midnight, with the club also keeping the bars open.
Earlier in the night the club will make the final draw for a service to sire sensation In The Pocket and his Aussie counterpart, Troublemaker.
"We want people to feel like they have had a special night out before and after the races," said Meale.
Sales of reserved seating tickets have been good and a crowd close to 15,000 is expected.
Beware the smoking Pistol
A secondary threat to Special Force has emerged in tomorrow night's Trotting Final.
While Sundon's Way is the $3 favourite for the great race and is becoming Special Force's arch-rival, he may not be the horse who poses the biggest threat tomorrow.
Especially if Kerryn Manning gets her way.
The young Victorian driver of Knight Pistol is declaring she has no choice but to take on Special Force, whose blistering gate speed makes him a certain early leader in the 3200m slog.
Manning worked Knight Pistol at Alexandra Park on Tuesday and a brief gallop in the final bend confirmed what his heat performances had told her.
"He is just not handling that bend as well as we would like and even if he gets around it safely he will lose a length," said Manning.
"That being the case, I can't afford to be sitting back and waiting. But I also would love to be on the markers on the final bend because he feels more comfortable down there so I suppose I have to try for the front."
Manning is aware just what an accomplished front-runner Special Force has developed into.
"But it will be very hard to sit parked outside him and win. I will have to find out if Todd MacFarlane is willing to take a trail."
That decision could decide the race, with any mid-race speed duel almost certain to set up Sundon's Way for victory.
Horse Racing: Club confident of happy end to Inters
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.