By MICHAEL GUERIN
Alexandra Park is set to host racing's dream clash next month - the world record holder against the Interdominion champion.
Two decisions made thousands of kilometres apart yesterday set the race of the year for the Auckland Cup on December 15.
New Zealand Cup holder Yulestar will meet Australian champion and Interdominion Grand Final winner Shakamaker in a race that will have Auckland Trotting Club officials beaming.
The clash has eventuated after a hectic day of transtasman phone calls and tough choices in Christchurch yesterday.
First, trainer Lorraine Nolan declined an invitation to next week's Miracle Mile with Yulestar.
"I don't think the Mile would be the ideal race for him," Nolan said. "He is a big striding horse and the tight track, especially over the sprint distance, would not suit him. Also, the race is a bit closer to cup week this year and it would have meant a lot of travel."
So Yulestar will instead start a hot favourite in the New Zealand Free-For-All tomorrow before returning north for the Auckland Cup, trying to go one better than he did when second last season.
"He only goes back 5m in the handicaps for winning the New Zealand Cup and that shouldn't worry him too much," Nolan said.
But standing 5m in front of him come Auckland Cup night is likely to be Victorian superstar Shakamaker, the early favourite for next week's Miracle Mile in Sydney.
After that he will contest the Trueur Memorial, also in Sydney, and then head to Auckland.
"To be honest I hadn't even considered the Auckland Cup until yesterday," trainer John Justice said. "But I sat down to talk over his programme with his owner John Wolfe and right out the blue he said he liked the look of the Auckland Cup.
"It is a great race and we would love to go. If we can get a suitable flight we will be there."
The latter will be no problem according to the Auckland boss of horse flight company IRT-BAS, Ross Johnson.
"Because the Auckland Cup is on December 15, flights won't be a problem this year. It is a lot easier now than when the race was around Christmas," Johnson said.
Tuesday's shock cup failure but Victoria Cup winner, Breeny's Fella, will also remain in New Zealand for the Auckland Cup, and with the race also likely to boast Holmes D G, Bogan Fella and the resurgent Agua Caliente, it is shaping as clearly the best field of the season.
The decision to bypass the Miracle Mile with Yulestar means defending champion Holmes D G is almost certain to be invited.
"We would love to have Holmes D G back and as long as he performs as well as Barry Purdon expects in the Free-For-All on Friday, he will be in the Miracle Mile," said New South Wales Harness Racing Club secretary-manager Peter V'Landys. The bookies cannot separate Agua Caliente and Yulestar for tomorrow's New Zealand Free-For-All.
The two open class stars of New Zealand Cup day go head to head in the $100,000 sprint and have opened equal $3.25 favourites.
Usually the cup winner is a dominating favourite, but the draws and a stunning junior free-for-all win by Agua Caliente on Tuesday have levelled the market out.
Agua Caliente has drawn barrier five and is expected to lead while Yulestar will go from barrier eight after the scratching of Chloe Hanover.
Agua Caliente recorded a 26.4 second last 400m on Tuesday, the fastest timed at Addington for five years confirming trials reports he was back to his best.
Racing: Champions to face off in dream Auckland clash
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