By MICHAEL GUERIN
Colin De Filippi went some way to erasing one of the nightmare moments of his career on Saturday night.
The Canterbury driver returned to Moonee Valley for the first time since the disaster of the Interdominion Grand Final in February.
On that occasion De Filippi's drive Courage Under Fire hit the mobile gate, galloped and produced the worst performance of his career in the richest harness race held in Australasia.
The stakes weren't so high in Saturday night's $A50,000 Bill Collins Mile but De Filippi was still beaming after getting Pukekohe trotter Special Force home.
Last season's Interdom champion was surprisingly beaten out of the gate but was still able to take the lead early and then De Filippi was allowed to get away with a slow middle section.
That was always going to leave his rivals with too much ground to make up and the $1.60 favourite sprinted his last 400m in 28.4 seconds to win by three metres in 2:1 on a windy night.
National Interest was second with South Auckland trotter Sundon's Way, second favourite at 2-1, an unlucky third after not getting clear until the race was over.
"It is nice to come back here and win a big race after the way things went on Interdominion night," said De Filippi.
"I blame myself for what happened with Courage Under Fire in the Interdominion Final and it is a shame, because I still think he is the best horse we have seen in this part of the world."
Trainer Dave McGowan was even more thrilled with Special Force's victory, knowing his stable star is finally back to his best.
The 6-year-old had been battling over summer but a gear change and some tough love from McGowan woke the gelding's ideas up, resulting in two wins and two placings from his last four starts.
"I think he is back in the sort of form now that won him the Interdom Final last year," said McGowan.
Both Special Force and Sundon's Way will stay in Melbourne for the $A20,000 Cochrane Cup next Saturday night.
"I am not 100 per cent about starting him, the final decision will be made when we see the handicaps," said McGowan.
Racing: Driver lays Interdom Final nightmare to rest
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