Racing: Champ to win back lost fans

Lance Justice doesn't mind that Sokyola's fans have abandoned him - he says they will be back tomorrow morning.

Australia's best pacer felt the blowtorch of the angry punter when he failed in the South Australia and Ballarat Cups in January.

In the space of two weeks he went from being a champion crowned after two Miracle Miles and a Victoria Cup triumph to a has-been who shouldn't bother coming to the Interdominions which start at Alexandra Park tonight.

Australians may love a champion, but they hate a horse who costs them a few bucks.

Considering Sokyola is the best pacer Justice has ever trained, his fall from grace could have hurt the Victorian horseman. Instead he decided to turn it into a positive.

"That was when I backed him at 16-1 to win this series," admits Justice.

"I know other people gave up on him but I never did.

"He wasn't himself in those races because he had a virus."

Justice says the fact Sokyola could even compete at the highest level while suffering from the virus simply reaffirms what a champion he is.

"The other horses in the stable who got it couldn't even lift their legs."

Justice gave Sokyola a brief spell and is adamant the veteran Kiwi-bred pacer is back to something like his best for tonight's second pacing heat.

"He worked 2400m last Saturday morning in 3:2, his final 800m in 56.1 seconds which is even quicker than he paced before winning the Miracle Mile in November.

"He won't be right at his peak for this week but he will be close enough."

Sokyola's blazing gate speed should see him wrest the early lead off Winforu and with few mid-race challengers he should be good enough to start the series on a winning note.

"Sure, we have a few concerns, like being first-up on the right-handed track and the fact he has had the virus but you can tell punters I don't think they will affect him."

Justice says he has enjoyed preparing Sokyola for this series without the hype that has surrounded his big-race preparations in the past.

"It has been good to see horses like Elsu and Just An Excuse under the microscope while we are left to go about our business.

"They are great horses and on their home track they deserve to be the favourites but we have beaten them both before so I am not scared of them.

"Don't get me wrong. I am not disrespecting them because they are bloody great horses. I am just not scared of them."

So how can an eight-year-old getting over a virus beat two Kiwi champions on their home track?

"I know it doesn't look good but I think there is a reason Australian horses have such a great record in the Interdominions," offers Justice.

"Horses like Elsu and Just An Excuse may be flat out faster than our horses but I think the best Australian horses are tougher and that is a huge part of this series.

"I love watching Elsu race but he has yet to cop three races in a week whereas I know that won't be a problem for my horse."

And what message does Justice have for the fairweather fans who turned their backs of Sokyola when he was fighting a virus?

"Punters can be like that but I think they will be back in his team on Saturday morning."

Opening night

* The $1.7 million Interdoms kick off at Alexandra Park tonight.

* Elsu is expected to dominate but Sokyola and Flashing Red give Australia winning hopes in the other pacing heats.

* Trainer Lance Justice says Sokyola is back to his best after a recent virus.

* Tonight's meeting also plays host to a $1 million Pick6.