Racing: It's Toomuch in $81 shock

The biggest win in the last 20 years of Mike Austin's career came under the most unlikely of circumstances last night.

The Canterbury trainer has spent most of his life in racing battling with lower-grade trotters, rarely feeling the glow of the winner's circle lights on the big occasion.

In the last four years though he has established himself as something of a boutique trainer of trotters, his relatively small team producing several open class horses.

And at Alexandra Park last night one of them, Toomuch To Do, produced one of the biggest upsets in Interdominion history.

The seven-year-old overcame starting from the outside of the front line to down champions Lyell Creek and Sumthingaboutmaori in the first of last night's two trotting heats, paying a staggering 81-1.

And she set a mares' 1700m mobile national record in the process.

While that demolished Pick6 hopes anybody who knows Austin would not begrudge him the win, which gives the mare a chance of sneaking into next Friday's $250,000 final.

"I am rapt to win an Inter heat for Mike because he is such a hard worker and doesn't get to be part of races like this every day," said driver Balir Orange.

"I took the gamble of going forward on her and it paid off."

The win once again showed the importance of racing close to the pace in Alexandra Park sprints, particularly when your rivals are doing things wrong.

While Toomuch To Do was courageous winning last night she was undoubtedly aided by the bad luck of poor manners by her key rivals.

The rot started early for punters with hot favourite Delft rolling into a gallop at the dispatch point and losing all chance.

He produced a phenomenal run to get up for sixth and seal his place in the final but afterwards driver Tony Herlihy was suggesting the giant trotter could be placed on the unruly.

"Nothing is certain at this stage but maybe it will suit him there because he might relax more."

Lyell Creek was the unluckiest runner, storming home through the middle to just go down after not getting racing room in the home straight.

"He really should have won with a gap but that was a good performance and he is heading in the right direction for the final."

Sumthingaboutmaori was a touch disappointing in third place after having the best run of the favourites, although her connections were not too concerned because she has never been a sprint specialist.

Perhaps those who should be most upset were the supporters of Lost In The Park, whose driver Greg Bennett said he would have but for galloping when challenging in the home straight.

* Herlihy will leave one of the toughest decisions of his driving career until today.

Herlihy has to decide between driving two of the favourites for the Interdominion Trotting Grand Final next Friday, Delft and Allegro Agitato, and wants to do before this Friday's final heats.

His decision looked certain after Delft galloped and lost his winning chance in the first trotting heat last night but it became a little more clouded when Allegro Agitato was surprisingly run down by Martina H in the second of last night's heats.

"She didn't trot the bend all that well tonight so I will have a think about it and talk to the trainers of each horse before making my decision," said Herlihy.

While Allegro Agitato stung punters few could begrudge Martina H her first success in over a year.

Last year's Grand Final runner-up was nearly retired two weeks ago with trainer Derek Balle believing he may have lost the battle to keep the mare sound. "A couple of times this season I have thought she was finished but swimming has saved her this time," said Balle.

While Martina H and Allegro Agitato are now through to the final, the horse most heavily backed to win it will need to finish in the top four on Friday night to be guaranteed a spot.

Two-time champion Take A Moment was an improver's fifth last night after having the perfect run and is heading in the right direction as the series progresses, but is it quick enough?

How they stand.-

Trotters: Allegro Agitato, Martina H 31; Lyell Creek, Sumthingaboutmaori 26; Delft 25; Unce Petrika 21; Play On, Toomuch To Do 18; Glenbogle, Sammy Do Good 17; Marie Wishes, Major Decision, Pompallier 16; Take A Moment, Whatsundermykilt 15; Lanson 13; Lost In The Park 12; Cracker Nova 10; Paris Metro 9; Gold, Prince Sundon 8; Castleton's Mission, Young Pointer 6; Gold N Gold, 4; Special Force, Stirling Kiwi 3.