Racing: Allegro Agitato trainer's darling for now but arch-rival on Friday

Phil Williamson loved Allegro Agitato yesterday but next Friday they will become arch-rivals.

That is the unusual scenario facing Williamson after Allegro Agitato confirmed she is the best trotter in New Zealand in the $50,000 Trotting Free-For-All at Addington.

The Oamaru mare was worked over early by her rivals and had to lead the field twice into blustery conditions but still held out Interdominion champion Play On.

Her victory, after her win in the Flying Mile at Ashburton, has given some class to the open trotting ranks in the post-Lyell Creek era.

But while Allegro Agitato is the most talented trotter in Williamson's strong stable, he believes she is not his best chance in next Friday's $100,000 Dominion Handicap at Addington.

Williamson will also start Jasmyn's Gift and says with her superior standing start record she is the one to beat.

"Allegro has the sheer ability but she can be very funny from the stand so she will be a huge risk next week.

"There isn't much between her and Jasmyn, though and to be honest I'd rate Jasmyn a better chance."

The clash puts Williamson in direct competition with his own mare as he will drive Jasmyn's Gift while yesterday's winning driver Ricky May will partner Allegro Agitato again.

That capped a superb week for May, who had already partnered glamour mare Mainland Banner to win Tuesday's New Zealand Cup.

Play On was his usual game second while northern visitor Pompallier still looks a Dominion Handicap winning chance after having no luck early.

He lost an early speed battle, skipped on the first bend and was then pushed back to near last before roaring home late.

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4-year-olds on form at Addington

The incredible depth of the 4-year-old pacing crop was further emphasised at Addington yesterday.

Just three days after Mainland Banner demolished the older horses in the New Zealand Cup, Rameses smashed the national 1950m allcomers record.

The gelding dented the huge reputation of Dudinkas Cullen with a stunning win in a minor 1950m mobile race.

Backing up from a second on Tuesday, the Richard Aubrey-trained pacer blazed a mile rate of 1:55.9 to take the record off millionaire pacer Holmes D G.

In any other season that would promote Rameses to being one of the leading lights of his age group but such is the quality of the crop he wouldn't rank in the top 10 yet.

Not only are the 4-year-olds headed by Mainland Banner but also contain Bailey's Dream, Presido, Badlands Bute, Classic Cullen, Foreal, Nick Off Holme, Tribute, Molly Darling and forgotten horses Revagain and Marika.

That must have Alexandra Park officials beaming as most of those horses will be aimed at the rich Taylor Mile-New Zealand Messenger double later in the season.

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Genius earns place in Dominion Handicap

Genius will get his shot at the big time after completing a cup week double yesterday.

The Tim Butt-trained trotter made it six wins from eight starts when he held on in a tense finish to the intermediate grade trot, earning himself a place in Friday's Dominion Handicap.