Racing: Butts to help Genius over case of the bends

Genius is now second favourite for the Interdominions. Picture / Gary Wild

Don't let a few cornering hitches put you off Genius as a genuine Interdominion winning hope - driver Anthony Butt isn't.

The pair combined burst into Interdominion Trotting contention with an all-the-way win at Moonee Valley on Saturday, one that not only cemented Genius a place in the series but has also seen him slingshot into second favouritism.

Genius needed to win the A$20,000 Knight Pistol Cup to be guaranteed a start in the Interdoms, which start this Saturday at Ballarat, after dropping as low as 34th in the rankings last week.

His victory over Calder Sensation propelled him to ninth and and he is the horse everybody is now talking about.

After being slow to find his feet early he was quickly sent forward by Butt to wrest the lead off Calder Sensation and from there on the only time the result looked in doubt was on the bends.

Because while Genius strode out beautifully in the straights, Butt was cautious with him on the bends after he became unbalanced on the first one.

Yet he says that is not a concern, even though the second round of heats and A$200,000 final will be on the tight Moonee Valley circuit.

"I was actually looking after him on the bends because it was his first time here," said Butt.

"We have a little bit to work on with him but it is nothing a few small changes won't quickly fix.

"I'd say by the time we get to the final - providing we make it - he will be spot on."

Just making the series is a relief for Butt and his brother Tim, who trains Genius, after the gelding's inexperience saw him plummet so low in the rankings.

The pair have been working hard on Genius since he galloped in the Dominion Handicap in November and believe they have him back to his best.

With most of the other favourites off a 10m handicap for the series Genius will be hard to catch, a fact not lost on Australian bookmaking giants, Centreracing.

"We thought he was super impressive in that race and have a lot of respect for the Butt brothers so we are going to be keeping him pretty tight," said head bookie Christian Sawyer.

"But the good news for punters is that means we have to move a few horses out and ones like Pompallier are now getting out to good odds because they have never raced over here."

Genius, who was having just his 10th start on Saturday for his seventh win, now heads a nine-strong Kiwi assault on the series.

Joining him will be defending champion Play On, who ran on well for third on Saturday night, breaking 57 seconds for his last 800m; Pompallier, Delft, Glenbogle, Jasmyn's Gift, Prince Sundon, Whatsundermyklit and Romper Stomper.

The final acceptances for the series close tomorrow and the two heats on Saturday will be just one focus on a Ballarat meeting on huge significance for New Zealand's top horses.

The meeting will also host the A$125,000 Ballarat Cup, which will feature Auckland Cup winner Howard Bromac as well as three heats of the Victoria Derby, in which New Zealand will be represented by Pay Me Christian, Tuherbs and Great Northern Derby winner Monkey King.

The two other Kiwis in action at Moonee Valley on Saturday night, open class pacers Country Ways and London Legend, will both struggle to make their primary goal, the A$500,000 Hunter Cup after being beaten in the Pure Steel, which won was on Tromos over the impressive Blacks A Fake.

* New Zealand mare Foreal dominates betting for Friday night's A$250,000 Chariots of Fire in Sydney.

She has drawn barrier five in the 2160m event and after bolting away with a free-for-all at Harold Park 10 days ago is rated a $2.40 chance by Australian bookmakers.

SMART WIN

* Genius won his way into the Interdominions at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.

* He easily won the Knight Pistol Trot although was slightly uncomfortable on the tight bends.

* The Canterbury trotter is now second favourite for the series.

* The first heats are at Ballarat on Saturday night.