Racing: Harness heroes to clash in heat

Elsu's greatest rival stands between him and a clean sweep of his Interdominion heats.

In a surprise move, the two favourites for the series, Elsu and Just An Excuse, will clash in the final round of heats at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

And just to rachet the tension up a notch further the glamour pair have drawn alongside each other on the second line of the 2700m event.

Elsu will still be a hot favourite for the heat after two effortless wins in the series so far but if any horse can halt his winning run it is Just An Excuse, who has already beaten him four times in the last 18 months.

Elsu is a $1.70 favourite for next Friday's final with Just An Excxuse the $6 second favourite.

If Elsu wins he surely can't get much shorter in the market before Saturday night's barrier draw function, but Just An Excuse would cave in if he can defeat Elsu again.

The heat will provide a turbo-charged start to the final round of heats in which some of pacing's biggest names need a form reversal from what they showed on Tuesday night.

Mister D G is one who raced a long way below his best on Tuesday and has had the misfortune to draw the Elsu-Just An Excuse heat.

Later in the night Young Rufus gets the perfect draw in the weak second heat to try to sneak into final from 17th on the points table.

He was pushed back to near last before fighting on well on Tuesday.

But Young Rufus looks a chance to reach his favoured pacemaking role tomorrow night.

If he can't win or run second from there he doesn't deserve to be in the final.

The last heat looks a perfect finish to the heats for Sokyola and Winforu, who, with their gate speed should dominate from good draws.

Of key interest will be Flashing Red, sitting 13th on the points table, who needs to produce a far better performance than he did on Tuesday night.

The pacers points heading into the final round are.-

Elsu 34; Howard Bromac, Just An Excuse 29; Hexus, Winforu 28; Sokyola 27; Jagged Account 26; Linford Christie 24; Harnetts Creek 23; Bobs Blue Boy, Sly Flyin 22; Mister D G 19; Flashing Red 18; Alta Serena, London Legend 17; Young Rufus 16; Camlach, Mont Denver Gold 15; Ohaka Ace, 14; Attorney General, Bella's Boy, Flying Sands, Mendacity 13; Ohoka Ace, 12; Maheer Lord 11; Country Ways, Eagles Together, Smooth Satin, Te Kanarama 10; Oscar Wild 9; Lee Robyn 8; Glen Atom 7; Blue Chip Rock, Coburg 6; Facta Non Verba 3; Dominator, Scorching, Sand Pebbles

Betting for the Grand Finals.-

PACERS: $1.70 Elsu; $6 Just An Excuse; $9 Sokyola; $11 Mister DG; $16 Flashing Red; $20 Howard Bromac, Sly Flyin; $25 Harnetts Creek, Winforu, Alta Serena; $30 Young Rufus, Hexus; $40 London Legend; $50 Jagged Account, Ohoka Ace; $60 Mont Denver Gold, Camlach, Bobs Blue Boy; $80 Linford Christie; $100 Bella's Boy, Attorney General; $150 Mendacity, Ohoka Atom, Flying Sands, Te Kanarama, Smooth Satin; $200 Eagles Together; $250 Maheer Lord; $300 Country Ways.

TROTTERS: $4 Delft; $4.50 Take A Moment; $5 Lyell Creek; $6 Sumthingaboutmaori; $6.50 Allegro Agitato; $14 Sammy Do Good; $15 Martina H; $16 Pompallier, Glenbogle; $25 Toomuch to Do; $30 Play On; $40 Uncle Petrika, Lost In The Park; $50 Whatsundermykilt; $60 Paris Metro, Lanson, Marie Wishes, Major Decision; $125 Castleton's Mission, Cracker Nova; $150 Gold; $200 Young Pointer; $300 Prince Sundon.