Racing: It's payback time from Delft

A win on Sunday will make Tony Herlihy the top Interdom driver. Picture / Gary Wild

Good news if you were one of the thousands of punters burnt by Delft in last year's Interdominion Trotting Final - it's payback time.

Because trainer Michelle Wallis is adamant there will be no repeat of last season's costly disaster in Sunday's A$200,000 ($218,000) Interdominion Final at Moonee Valley.

Delft's series has mirrored that of last season, with two stunning heat wins promoting him to favourite for trotting's biggest prize in this part of the world.

But that all came unstuck last season when he got trapped back in the field and flew home too late for his army of supporters.

Wallis says Delft 2006 is a far superior version to the Delft of last year.

"Even though he was good enough to win the final last season he may not have been mature enough, mentally or physically," admits the Waiuku trainer.

"But this year he is a different horse. He is stronger and I think that will help him get through the series better.

"And mentally he is handling the whole thing better. He feels a lot sharper and I actually think he is improving with the runs, whereas last season they were probably taking quite a bit out of him."

Delft has been clearly the best trotter in this series and his ability to work early and then keep up a strong tempo makes him the horse to beat on Sunday, in a race set to be dominated by backmarkers.

Most of the winning chances start off either the 10m mark or the unruly and in a field where the front markers are mainly huge outsiders there could be scramble for the favourites to get handy, especially as Moonee Valley is very much a leader's track.

Delft has two key advantages in that regard - he can step very quickly from the standing start and he has enormous respect from his rivals.

That would ensure if he can settle in front of the other favourites, A Touch Of Flair and Sammy Do Good, he could surge forward without too many rivals getting in his way.

Only Genius or Prince Sundon, both of whom start off the unruly, would appear willing or able to try and hold him out for the lead.

And if he was able to reach the pacemaking role his record suggests he will win: Only once has he been run down after leading and that was by Martina H in the Rowe Cup.

Delft lightened off slightly after last Saturday's heat win but has bounced back this week, undoubtedly aided by the cooler Victorian weather.

"He will have no excuses and I couldn't be happier with him."

For Wallis victory would not only make up for last season's defeat but crown a lifetime in harness racing in which trotters have been her key focus.

Just 16 months ago she had never trained a group one winner yet she is now rated a $3.50 chance to become the first New Zealand female to train an Interdominion Trotting Champion.

"It has been really exciting and I am loving it over here," said Wallis.

"I am sure we will go better than last season and come Sunday the rest is up to Tony [Herlihy]."

For Herlihy the race is also a shot at a record that may never be beaten.

After Delft's heat win last Saturday he sits equal with Brian Hancock as the most successful driver in Interdominion history.

Both men have driven 32 Interdominion race winners, counting heats, finals and consolations.

With his good friend Hancock retired from the sulky, Herlihy can claim the title of the greatest Interdominion driver on Sunday.

There would be a touch of irony in that as he used to train Delft until the giant was sold to the United States.

He failed to settle there and when he returned home it was Herlihy who suggested Wallis' beach training.

On Sunday he too may get his payback.