Racing: Flashing Red leaves rival trainers gasping

Several Interdominion dreams were left shattered on the Ballarat track after Flashing Red produced the performance of the Australian open class season on Saturday night.

The Queensland stayer overcame among others, Sokyola and Mister D G in the 2710m feature, leaving rival trainers shaking their heads.

Not only did the victory cause Flashing Red to shorten into $14 to win the Alexandra Park Interdominions in March but forced stars such as Sokyola and Young Rufus further out in the markets.

It also dented the reputations of horses such as Howard Bromac and Harnetts Creek so much that series favourite Elsu shortened into $3.50, an indication of the fading popularity of many of his rivals.

Flashing Red's crushing display was second only to Just An Excuse's New Zealand Cup win as the performance of the pacing season in Australasia, as he gave an array of outstanding horses a start and a beating.

He settled well back before moving forward to sit outside Sokyola at the 1600m mark and then attacked him viciously from the 800m, with Sokyola submitting at the top of the straight.

That left Flashing Red clear, with Mister D G, who had trailed throughout, well-beaten in second while Te Kanarama, another Interdominion contender, stormed into third.

It was a step to a new level for Flashing Red, who until Saturday night had always appeared to lack the speed required to be a genuine group one threat.

Now he will be one of the favourites for the A$450,000 ($490,000) Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley in 12 days' time.

One rival he won't have to worry about there is Sokyola, who will miss the cup, with trainer-driver Lance Justice believing the great pacer is suffering from a virus.

"That is nothing like his best so he can have a break now and freshen up for the first night of the Interdoms," said Justice.

"But don't worry, he will bounce back."

Young Rufus was just as disappointing, sitting on Flashing Red's back in the one-one before fading from the home turn.

The news was better for the Kiwis in the heats of the Victoria Derby held earlier in the night.

Place Of Glory got up to win his heat and Tribute and Badlands Bute, both of whom finished second, also qualified for Saturday's A$150,000 Derby.

Place Of Glory stunned even trainer Geoff Small by downing Tribute even after he had to sit three wide for the last 800m.

He will now be among the favourites for Saturday's classic even though he paid $39.40 on the Victorian tote on Saturday night.

Tribute was a gallant second after sitting parked for the last lap and his connections will be hoping for a more suitable front line draw on Saturday.

Badlands Bute was also gutsy when finishing second to leader Sir Galvinator in the last Derby heat after he too was forced to sit parked.

Like Tribute he would be far better suited to a front line draw in the final.

Other New Zealand contenders for the Derby, Strauss and Mighty Cullen, will not make the field after finishing out of the first three on Saturday.

But the New Zealand pacer who would have been the Derby favourite, Baileys Dream, didn't even get his chance to chase a spot in the race.

The freakish Pukekohe pacer was found to be sore on Saturday morning and was scratched from his heat.

"He was sore in the feet and is too good to risk starting," said trainer Steven Reid.

"It is a shame because he deserves a place in the Derby but at least we think it is nothing serious. Still, it is still very disappointing."

Baileys Dream will be treated this week and if he can return to full soundness may start in a A$20,000 race at Moonee Valley on February 12.

"He doesn't have another race now over home until the New Zealand Derby meeting so he might as well start next week if we can get him right," said Reid.

The all-important draw for the Derby will be made tomorrow.

* Interdominion Trotting champion Sumthingaboutmaori may be able to defend her title after all.

The Victorian mare was being counted out of the series on Friday when her trainer, Bryan Healy, thought she had broken down.

A veterinary examination failed to find a problem and the mare was sound yesterday, prompting Healy to declare she could even start in the Australasian Championships this Saturday.