Racing: Delft all the way to Interdom title

Just seconds after Michelle Wallis' dream came true yesterday an even bigger one came along.

The Waiuku trainer shed tears of joy and shock after her giant trotter Delft led almost throughout to win the A$200,000 Interdominion Final at Moonee Valley.

After a smart beginning Delft was sent to the lead inside the first lap by Tony Herlihy and outstayed second favourite A Touch Of Flair with another Kiwi rep, Whatsundermykilt, fighting his way into third.

For Wallis the result was almost incomprehensible after a career spent training primarily B-grade horses.

Just 16 months ago she had never had a group one starter but her career has flourished since moving to the beach.

That has seen her become the fix-it lady of northern harness racing as she repairs the bodies and minds of other people's cast-offs.

While most New Zealand harness racing trainers grow up dreaming of winning the New Zealand Cup, for Wallis the goal was always the one she achieved yesterday.

Her father Errol specialised in trotters and a young Wallis first sat behind a trotter earlier than she can remember.

"For me this is the big one because trotters have been our life," she said.

"It hasn't sunk in what has happened but it feels pretty good at this stage."

But just minutes after the win Wallis received an even bigger shock when Delft was invited to contest the Breeders Crown, North America's biggest open class trotting race.

As the Interdominion champion, Delft gets free entry into the great race and the trip is very much a reality.

"There is still a lot to think about but he is owned in the States so there is every chance his owner will want him to go," said Wallis.

"That would be amazing, to go take on the best horses in the world."

Ironically Wallis and her husband-training partner Bernie Hackett only got Delft to train after he failed during a previous US campaign.

After a promising start to his career when trained by Tony Herlihy the gelding was sold to the States but failed to perform.

Rather than cut his losses, owner Joe Muscara went to the unusual - and expensive - step of sending Delft back to New Zealand.

Herlihy then suggested he should be trained by Wallis as the beach would ease the pressure of his mammoth frame.

Delft might be better prepared for a return to the States though as his mental and physical improvement in the last six months have been great.

He failed as favourite in last season's Grand Final when he was still an inexperienced speed machine prone to galloping on the bends.

But this campaign he has looked more settled and has started to make fast beginnings.

That was the key to yesterday's win as Herlihy was able to work him forward to lead, therefore dictating the race to A Touch Of Flair.

Had the runs been different the result may also have been.

"He has come a long way mentally and is a lot stronger too," said Wallis.

"So maybe he could handle a trip back to the States.

"Either way we have a great horse and he hasn't had a lot of racing so he should be able to race for another couple of seasons no problem.

"It is pretty exciting."

Delft is likely to head home for an attempt at the Rowe Cup, in which he ran second to Martina H.

Yesterday's win was his 15th from 37 starts and took his earnings to over $300,000.

It also made Herlihy the most successful driver in Interdominion history, with 33 series wins - one better than Brian Hancock.

It was Herlihy's fourth win in the Trotting Final but he was loath to take the credit.

"Michelle has done all the work with the horse and I just did the steering," said Herlihy.

"She deserves a hug and pat on the back for what she has achieved with this horse."

While the race was a great success for the Kiwi contingent, there were still some disappointments.

The biggest was Genius, heavily backed before the series, who held up the start then took no part in the race.

Prince Sundon was also slow but produced one of the runs of the race for fifth while Pompallier ran on well after being driven cold.

Third favourite Sammy Do Good was also expensive after getting upset and losing skin in the float trip to the track.

DREAMS COME TRUE

* Giant trotter Delft leads almost from go to whoa to win the Interdominion Trotting Grand Final.

* Michelle Wallis is the first woman to train an Interdom trotting champ and dreamed of having a group one winner when she just was a girl.

* Now there are plans for the American-owned Delft to take on the best of their runners.

* Tony Herlihy notches up the most Interdominion wins of any driver.

* Andy Gath silences the critics when About To Rocks, driven by his partner Kate Thompson, wins the Hunter Cup.