Racing: Derby spoils headed for NZ

Connections have turned down a large offer for promising trotter Miami H. Photo / Greg Bowker

Miami H owes his connections a Derby win after the faith they showed in their young gun trotter this week.

The South Auckland 3-year-old could start favourite in the A$75,000 Victorian Trotting Derby at Maryborough in Sunday, a race with a great Kiwi connection in the past decade.

But Miami H almost ended up not flying the New Zealand flag in the race after a massive offer from big-spending Australian owner Peter Chambers this week.

The Herald understands the money being bandied around for even a three-quarter share in Miami H valued him as one of the most valuable young trotters ever produced in this part of the world.

After a day of negotiations, his connections have decided to keep him and Miami H gets his first chance to repay that faith on Sunday.

Miami H has been a sustained improver this year and emerged as the big danger to Kahdon in our feature 3-year-old trots in the autumn.

He cost himself a shot at Harness Jewels glory when he galloped early and that saw co-trainer Derek Balle put the half hopples on him for his Derby heat at Geelong last week.

The result was more confidence early as he raced to the lead and destroyed some of Australia's best young trotters.

If he can lead again on Sunday he will be the one to beat again, with Balle rating Miami H as even tougher than his wonderful dam, Martina H.

But that could mean an interesting battle of early tactics with two of the other favoured runners, Rostevarren and My High Expectations, drawn inside him.

If Maimi H can get across them early he is unlikely to cop much mid-race pressure but Rostevarren used the passing lane to down Kahdon in their heat two weeks ago and has the sort of change-up speed needed to challenge Miami H in the straight.

While Balle admits Rostevarren will take holding out he is thrilled with his draw.

"It is almost perfect for us," says Balle, who has an outstanding record in Victorian trotting features for the past decade.

"While I think he might be just as potent coming from behind I think being in front suits in these type of races. So if he can get to the front we won't have any excuses."

Safely through Sunday's classic Miami H will head to the Australasian Breeders Crown final on August 22, for which he has automatically qualified after winning his non-tote heat at Alexandra Park last month.

While those non-tote heats may sneak under the radar they are raising some interesting clashes, none more so than Franco Jamar and defending Breeders Crown champion Smiling Shard at Addington tonight.

A replay of that heat will be shown on Trackside tonight.