Racing: Desperate rivals could be left without Excuse

Desperation could be Just An Excuse's biggest weapon as the Interdominions enter stage two at Alexandra Park tonight.

Not his desperation, because after a first-night victory the giant pacer could not be better placed going into the second round of heats tonight.

But several of his key rivals in tonight's opening heat need big points to have a realistic chance of making next week's final and that could set up the 1700m race for swoopers.

And horses don't swoop much faster than Just An Excuse.

The dual New Zealand Cup winner has drawn the second line, which is usually a disaster in Alexandra Park sprint races but tonight's event could be turned into a staying race.

Pacers such as Jagged Account, Young Rufus and Attorney General have all drawn handy in the heat and their gate speed coupled with their need for points could see them burn early, a scenario that sounds ideal to Just An Excuse's driver, Todd Mitchell.

"If they go hard that will suit us perfectly," he said.

"I think he can win either way but I'd like to see them go hard and then for us to get a three-wide trail into the race so we could beat them for speed.

"Ideally I don't want to have to go around them in the middle stages because I am mindful of the fact we have another race on Friday.

"But he did sit three wide and then parked to win the Taylor Mile in 1:55 two years ago so I don't agree with people who say the sprint distance doesn't suit."

Just An Excuse's recovery after Friday night has pleased Mitchell and his father, Robert, who trains the gelding.

One driver who admits he may play into Just An Excuse's hands is Mark Purdon, who will pilot Young Rufus.

The former Auckland Cup champion raced lengths below his best when sixth last Friday and Purdon said he had little option tonight but to head for the lead from barrier four.

"He needs to stand up in this race if he is to have any chance in a race like the final next week. He is tough rather than a sit-sprint horse these days so I will be having a go early."

With other stayers such as Mister D G also in the race, it looks certain to be the fastest of the three 1700m pacing heats tonight, with the second 800m possibly slower than the first, again a situation that would suit the second-line horses.

While Just An Excuse may need the right tempo to overcome his second-line draw, series favourite Elsu should need little in the way of luck to continue his winning way.

He has drawn barrier two on a very fast front line in the last pacing heat of the night and with his rivals simply looking to qualify for the final, it is hard to envisage too many of them getting into a war with him.

"He came through that race the other night perfectly and he is ready for another go," said trainer Geoff Small.

The draws for the other heat suggest London Legend and Sly Flyin can give the Kiwis a clean sweep of the pacing heats.

Betting in the trotting heats will be dominated by the two first-night winners, Delft and Allegro Agitato, both of whom should win if they perform up to the same standard.

Driver and caretaker trainer Tony Herlihy was upbeat about how Allegro Agitato came through her punishing first-night run, in which she sat parked and out-muscled Lyell Creek.

"I was a little worried after the race that it might have taken a bit out of her but she has been great since," said Herlihy.

"She will take a lot of beating in this race, too, because she loves sprint racing. She has the speed to use barrier two."

Herlihy will also drive Delft tonight and said his race might not be as cut and dried as it appeared.

"I'd like to let him find his feet a little early because I don't want to get him too fired up leading into the final."

Herlihy can afford to take that chance, with his key rivals having drawn the second line.