New Zealand's harness racing heroes have been written off by Australia's leading bookmaker after the barrier draw for Saturday's Victoria Cup.
New Zealand Cup winner Yulestar was at a remarkable 12-1 last night with Sydney bookmaker Steven Single, while dual Miracle Mile winner Holmes D G was rated a 14-1 chance after both drew the second line in the $A250,000 Moonee Valley mobile over 2570m.
Their odds have been inflated by Courage Under Fire drawing barrier one, from where he is expected to lead. He was quoted at 11-8 ($2.75) last night.
New Zealand's other two representatives in the hottest field of the season have also fared poorly at the draws, with Ouch (16-1) drawing barrier five and Black Cam (10-1) the outside of the front line at barrier six.
The 12-strong field will line up in an unusual formation with six off the front line and six off the second line after Canterbury pacer Pocket Me drew barrier four. At Moonee Valley horses do not move from the second line to the front after scratchings so if Pocket Me, as expected, misses a start then Black Cam's barrier six will be the outside of the front.
Australia's other leading hopes, Shakamaker (5-1) and Atitagain (7-2), drew two and three on the second line respectively.
"It looks like Courage Under Fire will lead and stay in front so he has to be the favourite," said Single.
"The punters will come for him after his win in the South Australia Cup and that is why he is so short.
"I know that means Yulestar and Holmes D G are at great odds for horses of their class but they have the job in front of them."
The draw had Courage Under Fire's trainer-driver Brian Hancock crowing last night.
"I hold all the aces now,"said Hancock. "Holding the front won't be a problem, that will only take a flick with the whip and then it will up to them to try and beat me."
While the Aussies are writing off the superstar Kiwis, Yulestar's driver Tony Shaw is still confident.
"Those sort of odds are ridiculous," said Shaw.
"OK, we are going to need some luck from that draw but if they go hard then he is still the horse to beat."
Shaw usually chooses to employ Yulestar's incredible stamina and attack early in his races but says he is happy to sit back and drive the great horse with one run. That could mean being pushed wide on the Moonee Valley track where he struggled to pace cleanly last season.
"Being pushed wide wouldn't worry me because he is far more tractable this season than he used to be.
"He has the speed to run over the top of them if they give Courage Under Fire a hard time in front.
"By the same token if they slow up I will be around to sit parked because I think under the right circumstances Yuley can sit parked outside Courage Under Fire and beat him."
The field for the Victoria Cup in barrier draw order with odds is.-
Courage Under Fire (11-8), Tailamade Lombo (12-1), Breeny's Fella (30-1), Lombo Rapida (40-1), Pocket Me (66-1), Ouch (16-1), Black Cam (10-1), Safe And Sound (10-1), Shakamaker (5-1), Atitagain (7-2), Holmes D G (14-1), Yulestar (12-1), Zyuganov Leis (50-1). Emergency: Pocket Me.
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Bad barrier draws seemed to be the order of the day for New Zealand's elite harness horses in Melbourne yesterday.
Outside the Victoria Cup New Zealand will have leading chances in the $100,000 Dullard Cup, two Victoria Derby heats and a Victoria Cup consolation and most drew poorly.
Lyell Creek may even get to $1.20 for a win after he drew two on the second line in the Dullard Cup, the race which would have brought his only defeat last season had French trotter Euro Ringeat not galloped.
Northern trotter Last Sunset, having his first start for Mark Purdon, is likely to start second favourite after drawing barrier five.
Perfect Seelster has a bad draw in the stronger of the Derby heats and will will start from four on the second line. Great Northern Derby winner Matai Mackenzie has drawn the outside of the front line, with Australia's two best 3-year-olds inside him. In the other heat Rare Gem has drawn barrier four.
The poor draws continue in the Victoria Cup consolation.
Homin Hosed and Pocket Me get second line starting positions while Cigar fares best with barrier two.
Racing: Bookies snub Kiwi stars after barrier draws
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