Racing: ATC's series gamble pays big dividends

It must take a lot to scare those Australians.

Because less than 48 hours after Elsu produced the scariest win of the harness racing decade Australia's leading trainers are lining up for a crack at him.

In the greatest ever invasion of Australian standardbred talent on New Zealand shores, close to 20 of their best could be present for the Interdominions which start at Alexandra Park on March 4.

The final rankings for the series are released tomorrow but last night 11 pacers and five trotters are certain to make the trip providing they suffer no setbacks in the next fortnight.

Another five horses are possibles for the series, a huge pat on the back for the Auckland Trotting Club's daring gamble with the series.

The ATC only officially took over the series last March after Adelaide, who were supposed to host it, struggled to find a sponsor. They then announced New Zealand record stakes of $750,000 for the pacing final and $250,000 for the trotters but increased acceptance fees and dropped the time-honoured travel subsidies.

Some Aussies moaned and cynics said it would deter them from coming. They were wrong.

"We are thrilled with the numbers we have got," said ATC racing boss Robert Death.

Death made the trip to Melbourne on Saturday night to liaise with Australian trainers on Hunter Cup night and was overwhelmed by their enthusiasm.

"After the way Elsu won the Hunter Cup I was dreading going back down to the stables in case I started getting people wanting to pull their horses out, but it didn't happen.

"I think they were as shocked as we all were by what he (Elsu) did but the Australians love a challenge."

At this stage 11 Australian pacers are definites for the series, with Sokyola heading a group containing Smooth Satin, Flashing Red, Camlach, Te Kanarama, Mont Denver Gold, Braeside Seel Star, Mendacity and the Brian Hancock-trained trio of Country Ways, Sand Pebbles and Selby Bromac.

The Hancock trio and Smooth Satin will start in a race at Harold Park in Sydney tonight although they will all be safely inside the 39 horses ranked to make the heats so it is hardly a win-at-all-costs affair.

Also still in the running to make the trip but not yet decided are The Falcon Strike, Lively Medley and Ohoka Ace.

That raises the possibility of 14 pacers among the 39 who will start in the series.

"The trainers of most of those horses have already made their travelling arrangements and some of them will be here as early as next Monday so they can have a proper workout at Alexandra Park on February 26," said Death.

Two Australian trotters, Kimbo and Bristle, were withdrawn yesterday but that leaves five who are almost certain to come in Sammy Do Good, Sumthingaboutmaori, Uncle Petrika, Gold N Gold and Lost In The Park.

They could be joined but at least another two, staggering considering the incredible depth of the New Zealand trotting crop headed by Take A Moment, Lyell Creek, Delft, Allegro Agitato and co.

While Elsu's $2.50 favouritism for the series will change little between now and the first heats on March 4, favouritism for the trotting series could be decided today.

That is when Take A Moment has his second public run in 13 months against the pacers at the Addington trials.

He was impressive beating pacers at the Rangiora workouts 10 days ago and if he looks improved when taking on intermediate grade pacers again today then he should settle into outright favouritism for the trotting series.

Last night he was rated a loose $5 favourite ahead of stablemate Lyell Creek at $5.50 and Sammy Do Good at $6.50.

"We all know how good Take A Moment is but is has also had his problems," said TAB bookie Paul Lally.

"We are watching him very closely because if he does something wrong the money will come quickly for the others.

"Either way, it is shaping up as a great betting series because of the depth."

While the final rankings for the Interdominions are released tomorrow the final payment is not until next Monday with the final acceptors and reserves declared next Wednesday.

Raiders ready

* Up to 20 Australian horses could make the trip to Auckland for the Interdominions.

* At this stage 11 pacers are expected, with three others possible.

* Five Australian trotters are coming, with two still to decide.

* Elsu is the $2.50 favourite for the pacing series after his incredible Hunter Cup performance.