KEY POINTS:
The two great pacers are set to dominate the A$750,000 pacing final at Moonee Valley next Saturday after their crushing wins in the semi-finals on Saturday night.
Safari's track record smashing performance of a 1:56.2 mile rate for the 2575m has raised the scarcely believable scenario that long-time favourite Blacks A Fake may not even start as the public elect in the final.
That will most likely be decided tomorrow when the barrier draw for the great race is held, with Safari a realistic chance to start favourite if he draws the front line and Blacks A Fake does not.
Last night, Blacks A Fake was the $2.10 favourite over Safari at $2.50.
Both pacers led and ran their rivals into the dirt on Saturday night and while that was nothing more than what we have come to expect from Blacks A Fake, Safari's win was in a different league.
His driver, Brian Gath, simply asked the muscled machine to go faster in every section and left his rivals gasping at the 400m, taking over a second off the track record.
As great a horse as Blacks A Fake is, if Safari can lead and repeat that performance last week even the champion would need a miracle to beat him.
But that is the major question, apart from the barrier draw: Can Safari perform to that level again on Saturday?
His problem is the security measures put in place for the final, which means all contestants will move to a secured premises in Geelong on Thursday for the final 48 hours before the race.
Those measures were in place for the Hunter Cup three weeks ago and Safari raced several lengths below his stunning win over Blacks A Fake at Ballarat a week earlier.
His connections say the stallion simply doesn't settle in at the Geelong facility and if he fails to do so this week Blacks A Fake could have his measure.
Astute driver Brian Gath is adamant the final could be Safari's for the losing. "If he leads then how are they going to beat him?" posed Gath.
"I know Blacks A Fake is a great horse but they can only go so fast and my guy goes pretty fast."
Gath said because Safari is so dominant in front tomorrow's barrier draw is crucial, but Blacks A Fake's trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen wasn't so concerned.
"Good draws can sometimes be bad draws and vice-versa," she said.
"I am not going to worry about that too much because my horse is ready and that makes him the horse to beat."
New Zealand will have one representative in the race, with Report For Duty producing one of the performances of the night when coming from last for third to Blacks A Fake.
That continued his consistent improvement since joining trainer Tim Butt in the spring and with the right draw he looks a place chance.
"I am thrilled with how he went but for him so much depends on the draw," said driver Anthony Butt.
Smoken Up and Divisive also showed enough on Saturday night to suggest they could upset in the final with the right run.
The field for the final is: Blacks A Fake, Safari, Divisive, Penny Veejay, Report For Duty, Robin Hood, Smoken Up, Diamonds N Furs, Sequoiahs Spirit, Karlsruhe, Perfect Gold Lombo. Emergency: Amorts.
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Tony Herlihy had two words of advice for trainer Phil Williamson after One Over Kenny's shock Interdominion semi-final defeat.
Don't panic.
That was the message after the mare, a redhot favourite to win next Saturday's A$250,000 trotting final, struggled into third in her semi on Saturday night.
While she had to sit parked and still fought well to the line, One Over Kenny raced at least five lengths below her best when blown away by Will Trapper.
That saw her drift from $1.40 to win the final to $1.70 and she could lengthen further if she draws the second line when the barriers come out tomorrow.
But Herlihy says the defeat may be easily turned around.
"She felt flat and not like herself but I don't think it is anything too serious," said the champion driver.
"Maybe she was a bit flat after the trip over and then winning at Geelong the week before.
"Phil might freshen her up a bit this week and I think she will be fine." The defeat provides a burst of hope though for rival trainers, many of who had all but conceded the final to One Over Kenny before the loss.
The problem is finding another horse good enough to win an Interdominion final.
Will Trapper looks a real up and comer but is very inexperienced for an open class trotter.
"That is a problem but he is a good horse and maybe better than we thought," said his shocked driver Todd Matthews.
"I am not saying we will beat the mare [One Over Kenny] next Saturday but we have done it once so we are in with a shot."
That echoes the attitude of trainer Ross Graham, who trains the first semi-final winner Viva La Fever.
"My horse is flying and all we need is some luck because it looks a little more open now."
New Zealand will also have Whatsundermykilt, Galleons Sunset and My Rhythm Of The Night in the final but our grip on the title is a lot looser than it was a few days ago.
The field for the trotting final is: Will Trapper, Viva La Fever, One Over Kenny, Galleons Sunset, Whatsundermykilt, Tennotrump, My Rhythm Of The Night, Crescent Glory, Earl Of Mot, False Gem, Pinevale Ellason.
