Racing: Blind faith may get trotter back on song

Chris Lang will be hoping Sundon's Gift returns to his Rowe Cup form. Photo / Greg Bowker

Champion Australian trainer Chris Lang is employing a new tool as he attempts to put Sundon's Gift's Interdominion defence back on track - blind faith.

The two-time Interdominion trotting champion was the shock failure of the opening night of the series at Alexandra Park on Friday, dropping out to finish third last after racing parked for the last lap.

It was a career-worst performance for Sundon's Gift in open class - apart from the occasions he has galloped - and could prove crucially expensive because under the conditions of the series he earned no points.

That leaves him heading into Friday night's second and final round of heats needing a top-three finish to earn a place in the final a week later.

Two days after Friday night's shocker, Lang was none the wiser as to why his stable star performed 15 lengths below his best in the heat won by Dr Hook.

"We had him vet-checked and really came back with nothing wrong," Lang told the Herald.

"He was a bit muscle sore but nothing that would suggest he would race like that.

"But there were no issues with his lungs or his blood tests.

"So, really, I just have to press on like it didn't happen.

"What else can I do? I can't start changing his training midway through an Interdominion and he feels and seems fine. So, I have to put it behind us and I suppose press on with blind faith and believe in him."

Because he has no points, Sundon's Gift has to place this Friday to make the final and that is where today's barrier draws will be crucial.

If he draws to use his gate speed and lead over the 2200m distance he could still win back the respect needed for the final.

"I look at it this way. If he comes out and goes good this Friday and wins his way into the final then he deserves to be there," said Lang.

"But if he comes out and can't run in the first three then he probably doesn't. It is up to him now."

Remarkably, Sundon's Gift is still as short at $7 to win the final in some markets, with his stablemate Let Me Thru the favourite for the title at $3 with the New Zealand TAB.

Lang was thrilled with his win over Sovereignty last Friday after Let Me Thru had to work harder than expected early to reach the lead.

"He was very good and will keep getting better but as we expected all along there is plenty of depth in the Kiwi trotters.

"Sovereignty was good running second, I Can Doosit went well and Dr Hook has become the real x-factor horse in the series."

Dr Hook is now rated a $7.50 chance by the New Zealand TAB after some Australian bookmakers opened him $101 to win the series two months ago, and even more incredibly at $26 to place in the final.

Themightyquinn is the $3 favourite to win the pacing final, with Smoken Up and Mr Feelgood sharing $4 second favouritism.

The big overs in the pacing divisions appears to be Blacks A Fake.

He is an $11 chance with the TAB, whereas most Australian bookies have him between $6-$7.

The draws for the second round of heats should be available around 3pm today.

DEFENCE DISASTER

* Sundon's Gift's Interdominion defence is in huge trouble.
* He raced 15 lengths below his best in the opening heat last Friday night.
* He scored no points and needs a top three placing this Friday to make the final on Friday week.
* Themightyquinn is the $3 favourite for the pacing series.