Racing: De Lovely looms as rival

De Lovely. Photo / Dean Purcell

Pacing's most enthralling arch-rivalry could yet have another combatant added into the mix.

Champion mares Carabella and Bettor Cover Lover produced another thrilling chapter in their on-going war in the Mares Championship at Addington last Friday, with Carabella clinging to a narrow victory after leading.

The win suggested any gap which existed between the pair this time last season has closed and they will meet for the seventh time in the group one Breeders Stakes at Addington on Saturday week. But Breeders Stakes defending champion De Lovely is still rated a chance of making it south for the feature.

She was allowed to bypass last Friday after not pleasing trainer Ian Small in work last week but the stable will give her until next Tuesday to prove she is back to her best.

"There is nothing serious wrong with her so if she feels spot on next week she can still go down," said Small.

Meanwhile, champion New Zealand trotter I Can Doosit is now being rated virtually unbeatable in the Interdominion series by the New Zealand TAB after winning his opening round heat on Saturday.

The TAB have reduced I Can Doosit's price for the A$250,000 Final at Melton on February 4 to a staggering $1.60, compared with $2.05 in Australia.

The second round of heats for the series will be held at Ballarat on Saturday night and while barrier draws should mean little to I Can Doosit, they will be vital to New Zealand chances in the A$125,000 Ballarat Cup.

Gold Ace will lead the Kiwi attack in the Grand Circuit event but meets Aussie heroes Smoken Up and Sushi Sushi in one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the harness season.