By MICHAEL GUERIN
Courage Under Fire has slingshotted to second favouritism for the Interdominions with a return to something like his best form in the South Australia Cup.
The former Kiwi hero paced a track record with his all-the-way win in Saturday night's $A100,000 feature at Globe Derby in Adelaide.
The win was his biggest in 18 months and his first major win for New South Wales trainer Brian Hancock, who took over Courage Under Fire's training after last year's Interdominions in Melbourne.
The 5-year-old stallion easily won an early speed duel with Safe And Sound and then paced even sectionals to win by two lengths from trailer Breeny's Fella, breaking the track record by 0.1 of a second, clocking a 1:56.9 mile rate for the 2645m.
In doing so he paced his last mile in 1:56, a smart effort around the tight Globe Derby track.
Bookmakers reacted quickly, shortening his odds for the Interdominions, which start in Brisbane in April, to $6.50 after he had been as long as $17 five days ago.
That puts him on the second line of betting with New Zealand Cup winner Yulestar. Defending champion Shakamaker and Grand Circuit leader Atitagain share favouritism at $4.50 while Holmes D G is now a $10 chance with Melbourne bookmaker Phillip Nott.
"It was a good win but I expect the market to change a lot during the summer carnival coming up at Moonee Valley when we get all these horses together," said Nott.
While Saturday night's field was nowhere as strong as Courage Under Fire's next assignment, the Victoria Cup on February 10, it did show the former pacing icon was improving.
Courage Under Fire's form in November and December was pitiful as Hancock battled to keep condition on the tiny pacer, whose interest in racing waned as his interest in the opposite sex increased.
"I think he is over that now and is settling back into being a real racehorse," said Hancock.
"I'm looking forward to Melbourne. But even after this win I am not simply expecting to turn up and win, because the Victoria Cup will be a great race."
Courage Under Fire will be allowed to miss the second great race of the summer carnival, the $A400,000 Hunter Cup, after showing standing starts are not his thing by galloping and losing all chance at the start of last month's Auckland Cup.
Former Auckland Cup winner Happy Asset was never a realistic chance on Saturday night after settling back in a race where there were no moves.
He finished midfield after making a big run wide at the 600m but he was pushed off the track on the home bend.
Racing: Courage shoots up in favouritism
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