By MICHAEL GUERIN
The biggest names in harness racing are set to launch into enigmatic pacing champ Courage Under Fire tonight.
The former Kiwi superstar, who has struggled to consistently maintain his best form this season, will start a commanding favourite in the $A250,000 Victoria Cup over the mobile 2570m at Moonee Valley.
That honour has been bestowed because of his ace draw and enormous popularity with the punting public as much as for his recent return to something like his best form in the South Australia Cup.
That track record win has bookmakers suggesting Courage Under Fire will simply lead from the ace, allowing trainer-driver Brian Hancock to dictate the race and the rest will be running for second.
But while Courage Under Fire may be the people's favourite he doesn't have too many admirers among his rivals.
Cambridge driver Tony Shaw started the ball rolling this week, saying that with the right run his charge Yulestar could sit parked outside Courage Under Fire over the last lap and beat him.
The Aussies, as Aussies will do, have picked up that line of thinking and added some juicy words of their own.
New South Wales trainer Dennis Wilson, who will drive Atitagain, says he will surprised if his charge doesn't beat Courage Under Fire - and everybody else.
"If you thought my horse looked good in the Miracle Mile and the Trueur then you'll be blown away this week," roared Wilson from his New South Wales base yesterday.
"I know it's a very strong field but I really believe only bad luck from the draw will beat us. If I'm within three or four lengths of Courage Under Fire, or whoever else leads, at the 800m I'll be very disappointed if my bloke doesn't win."
While Hancock was suggesting Courage Under Fire's South Australia Cup win indicated he was nearing his best, Wilson downplays the victory.
"He set his own pace in front in Adelaide and Breeny's Fella, who hasn't been at his top, was right at his wheel at the finish."
But wait, the little New South Welshman is not out of bullets yet. Wilson also questions whether Courage Under Fire is the certain leader many expect him to be.
"Courage Under Fire did get headed off from the pole in the Newcastle Mile a couple of months ago."
Wilson's doubts over the tiny favourite are echoed by John Justice, who has both Shakamaker and Safe And Sound in the cup.
"I'm not doubting Courage Under Fire went well in Adelaide but this is a lot tougher test. If they leave him alone in front then he'll win but if he is pressured it will be a very open race."
And those lining up for a shot at Courage Under Fire had an unusual ally yesterday in Mark Purdon, who admitted he is likely to take the favourite on early with Ouch.
"There aren't many fast beginners drawn between my horse and Courage Under Fire so I have got to come out and have a look at him," said Purdon.
The pre-race hype and possibility of multiple challengers sets the race up as the most intriguing of the season, particularly as all the key players are going in close to peak fitness.
While Courage Under Fire will be the horse to beat if he leads and gets an easy time, the race will be wide open if he is taken on.
And the biggest winner from that scenario could be Yulestar.
The New Zealand Cup winner looked to be nearing his best with his last-start win in the Ballarat Cup and when all is said and done he is the best stayer in Australasia.
While he is not as comfortable at Moonee Valley as he is at Addington, he is more tractable than last season and is one of the few in the race who can sprint or stay at the highest level.
The forgotten horse is, unbelievably, Holmes D G.
The dual Miracle Mile winner is a last-start winner of the City Of Auckland Free-For-All and would have won the Auckland Cup but for breaking.
He looks certain to be driven for one sprint tonight, which trainer-driver Barry Purdon rates as the 6-year-old's secret weapon.
Like Yulestar he would be suited by some frenetic early activity, as would Interdom champion Shakamaker, another who should be driven for speed tonight after some mediocre (by his standards) lead-up form.
So where exactly does that leave the new pin up boy of pacing, Black Cam.
Well, the 6-year-old will have to overcome drawing the outside of the front line in only the 11th start of his career. So far has he come that three months ago when Yulestar was winning the New Zealand Cup, Black Cam was cooling down from winning the preceding race - for class two pacers.
He will have one big plus on his side tonight. In his sulky will be Tony Herlihy, who three years ago started this race from the outside of the front line with a 25-1 chance called Brabham and came from last to beat Our Sir Vancealot, the hot favourite trained and driven by Brian Hancock.
Racing: Courage to come Under barrage of Fire tonight
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