Racing: Interdoms already over for Australian

Dominator Stride has had one of the shortest Interdominion campaigns in history.

The Sydney pacer will be on a plane home by the time the second round of heats are run at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

The long-strider finished second last in Just An Excuse's heat on Friday night, beating home only Sand Pebbles, who galloped in the score-up.

That gave brothers Gavin (Dominator Stride) and Blake Fitzpatrick (Sand Pebbles) an unwanted Interdominion quinella of sorts.

It also proved to Gavin that Dominator Stride has no future in this series.

"He didn't really handle the track at all," said Fitzpatrick, whose father Paul trains the gelding.

"He hit his knee pacing right-handed and that didn't help a few other little problems so there is no point wasting our time.

"It is disappointing but that can happen at this leevel."

Fitzpatrick derived some pleasure from Friday night's heats though, cheering home series favourite Elsu.

"He stays with us when he comes to Sydney and it looks like what beats him would win the final because he is so powerful at the moment."

The loss of Dominator Stride weakens an Australian contingent that struggled for major points on the opening night of the carnival.

While Sokyola was his usual gutsy self winning the second pacing heat, Flashing Red steady but outclassed in the first pacing heat while Sumthingaboutmaori was probably the most impressive of the visitors with her second to Allegro Agitato in a trotting heat.

There was also plenty to like about Sammy Do Good's fourth behind Delft considering he was below his best but the next best of the visitors, Hexus, who chased home Elsu, is now officially a Kiwi after changing trainer last week.

Camlach and Ohoka Ace also showed glimpses of form without having any luck but others, including one-time Grand Final winning chance Te Kanarama, have a lot of improving to do.

Te Kanarama again didn't look comfortable on the right-handed track and has drifted from $9 a week ago to $20 to win the final.

The dark horse among the other Australians may be Gold N Gold, who looked at least a chance to get into the finish before galloping.

He has drawn to use his gate speed and will be well suited by the 1700m heat tomorrow night so could be the biggest improver.

The latest markets are. -

Pacers' Final, $750,000, mobile, 2700m. $2 Elsu; $6 Just An Excuse; $9 Sokyola; $12 Flashing Red; $15 Mister D G; $20 Te Kanarama, Winforu; $25 Young Rufus, London Legend, Howard Bromac; $30 Sly Flyin, Camlach; $35 Alta Serena; $40 Mont Denver Gold, Harnetts Creek, Hexus, Bella's Boy, Scorching; $50 Linford Christie, Oscar Wild, Ohoka Ace, Maheer Lord; $60 Attorney General, Ohoka Atom, Smooth Satin, Blue Chip Rock, Coburg, Bobs Blue Boy, Jagged Account; $80 Eagles Together; $100 Lee Robyn, Sand Pebbles, Country Ways; $150 Mendacity, Flying Sands; $200 Glen Atom, Facta Non Verba.

Trotters' Final, $250,000, mobile, 2700m. $4.50 Delft; $5 Allegro Agitato; $6 Sumthingaboutmaori, Lyell Creek; $7 Take A Moment; $12 Sammy Do Good, Pompallier; $16 Glenbogle, Gold N Gold; $20 Play On; $25 Lost In The Park, Martina H; $30 Paris Metro; $40 Castleton's Mission, Lanson, Gold, Uncle Petrika; $50 Whatsundermykilt; $60 Toomuch to Do, Young Pointer; $80 Marie Wishes, Major Decision; $100 Prince Sundon, Stirling Kiwi, Special Force, Cracker Nova.