Fallen star of harness racing shows he is back to his best after sizzling 1:52.9 mile.
The career of one pacing hero imploded as another was reignited on Saturday.
Auckland Reactor provided harness racing - and the upcoming Auckland Cup and Interdominion carnivals in particular -with a shot in the arm when he made a spectacular return to racing at Ashburton.
But just hours earlier the career of Australia's greatest pacer Blacks A Fake was left in tatters after he suffered atrial fibrillation in track work in Queensland.
It was the second time the $4 million earner has had the problem and trainer Natalie Rasmussen says she is considering retiring the 10-year-old.
"We are not going to rush into any decisions but really he has nothing left to prove," said Rasmussen. "But I would say he is definitely out of the Interdominions."
That robs the series, which starts at Addington on March 25, of the greatest pacer in its history, with Blacks A Fake having won four Grand Finals.
Ironically, it was Auckland Reactor who cost him five by savaging him in front when he became uncontrollable in the 2009 final.
It was a more relaxed and seemingly rejuvenated Auckland Reactor at Ashburton on Saturday as he was gifted his comeback race.
Trainer-driver Mark Purdon actually went to restrain Auckland Reactor at the start but, like everybody else, was surprised when Monkey King didn't go forward to lead.
Purdon quickly changed tactics, strode forward and got the front and from there the only question was whether the entire's fitness would hold up. He was getting tired at the line but that was understandable after a 1:52.9 mile, his last 400m in 25.5.
Such sectionals sound amazing but to put that in perspective, 2-year-olds at the Ready To Run sale have broken 26 seconds for their last 400m at Ashburton, albeit not into the head wind that prevailed on Saturday.
But the win showed the 6-year-old is healthy, his throat operation has been successful and he still wants to be a racehorse after a confusing past 15 months.
There is little doubt he can win any race he wants if given an easy lead like he got on Saturday and that will earn him valuable respect, but the Interdominions will be a different proposition with most Australian horseman not Auckland Reactor fans.
His next chance to win them over will be at the Auckland Cup carnival, with his next start in the NZ Herald Free-For-All on March 4, up against Australian star Themightyquinn.
"He will trial down here before going to the free-for-all then the Auckland Cup and the Interdoms," said Purdon. "It is just great to have him back and when he strode out that last 400m he felt amazing."
Bookmakers were also impressed, moving Auckland Reactor into $4 favouritism for the Interdominions in the market which re-opens today.
"All the money has been for him and we are leaving Blacks A Fake in the market until he is officially pulled out," said bookie Steve Richardson.
While Blacks A Fake's career could be over and Auckland Reactor is just resuming, the pacer who finds himself at the crossroads is Monkey King.
He could never win after not going forward early but still lost ground on Raglan, who is not in his class.
He has looked lacklustre this entire campaign and while trainer Brendon Hill is not panicking, the champion needs to find five lengths to win the Interdominion.
"I will have some blood tests taken but to me he seems fine," said Hill.
"But I don't know what to make of the run or where we are at, really."
Auckland Reactor will also open the $3.50 favourite for the Auckland Cup today, a price sure to be snapped up now the hype has returned.
Back on track
* Auckland Reactor returns to racing with an easy win.
* He paced a 1:52.9 mile in his first New Zealand start in 15 months.
* He is now the favourite for the Auckland Cup and Interdominions.
* Four-time Interdominion champion Blacks A Fake could be retired after suffering a heart problem.
