Racing: Auckland trots fans will get to see Themightyquinn

Australia's most exciting pacer is confirmed for the Auckland Cup meeting and he could have plenty of company on the plane over.

And Themightyquinn could head a remarkable early Australian domination at the head of the markets for the group one classics on Auckland Cup Night on March 11.

The Perth pacer who was so luckless in the Hunter Cup last Saturday is among the confirmed entries for the $400,000 Auckland Cup, which will close at 11am today.

He and Washakie have already been nominated with the connections of Smoken Up to decide overnight.

Queensland veterans Blacks A Fake and Mr Feelgood, who trialled on Tuesday, will stay home to complete their Interdominion preparations against each other.

But Themightyquinn is the horse Auckland Trotting Club officials wanted most, as he is rated the best pacer in Australia at the moment and is likely to head the Auckland Cup markets when they are released next Monday.

He is already the favourite for the Interdominion and has the advantage of having won the Northern Stakes at Alexandra Park as a 3-year-old, beating Fiery Falcon.

Themightyquinn is also likely to contest the NZ Herald Free-For-All on the first night of Cup week, March 4, as will Washakie.

While Themightyquinn could well head the market he faces plenty of competition as the entries are the strongest for an Auckland Cup in over a decade.

Two-time New Zealand Cup winner and defending Auckland Cup champ Monkey King is a definite starter, along with stablemate Power Of Tara.

Hunter Cup winner Stunin Cullen is a surprise nomination while Auckland Reactor, who returns to racing at Ashburton on Saturday, is also making the trip north with stablemates Highview Tommy and Sleepy Tripp.

And the ATC was thrilled to get the nomination for glamour mare De Lovely yesterday, suggesting she will start. "We are thrilled with the entries and just as importantly most of them look certain to be here so it will be a very strong cup," said ATC racing manager Kevin Smith.

An Australian favourite in the early market for the Woodlands Derby also looks likely, with last Saturday's Victoria Derby winner Sushi Sushi confirmed as a starter.

He is joined in the entries by his runner-up Excel Stride and Vic Derby heat winner Abettorpunt.

All the big name New Zealand 3-year-olds are there too, with the chance the winner of the Pascoes Oaks on March 4 could join then, because the ATC has the powers to put her in the field.