Racing: Courage To Rule takes on Australia's best 3YOs

Courage To Rule. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A change of driver and a change of tactics best signals the attitude of the man behind Kiwi pacer Courage To Rule in the Gold Coast Derby tonight.

The Victoria Derby winner returns to Australia for tonight's A$30,000 semi-classic against Australia's best two 3-year-olds: For A Reason and Lanercost.

While Courage To Rule downed them both in the Victoria Derby in February, his co-trainer John Green says repeating that tonight is not his first priority.

"Sure, we want to win this week but he has had an easy time since he last raced," said Green.

"And his main aim is the Queensland Derby next week.

"He has had a long season so I have been easier on him than I usually would lately and I am just hoping we can get away with it this week."

That is one reason regular Australian pilot Greg Bennett won't be making the trip north to drive Courage To Rule tonight, with Damien Stainkey taking the reins.

Green will give him specific instructions not to play the ironhorse with Courage To Rule.

"Because he has had an easy time I would be happy to see him go forward then hand up the lead to one of the two favourites, probably Lanercost.

"He tends to roll along and if we can sit behind him then we will still get our shot."

Lanercost looks exceptional at his best and is a great stayer, whereas For A Reason, who beat Courage To Rule in the NSW Derby, is dynamic when not used early.

Whichever of the Australian pair gets the easier run is the one punters want to be on tonight.

Queensland will also be the centre of Australasian harness racing tomorrow night when four-time Interdominion champion Blacks A Fake returns in a lowly $5000 race but still clashes with West Australian Cup winner Washakie as the pair build toward the Sunshine Sprint and Winter Cup in coming weeks.