Racing: Kiwis to defy Inters history

Interdominion favourite Auckland Reactor contests the last heat tonight. Photo / Simon Baker

Dream team or a punter's nightmare?.

That is the question Kiwi punters may have to ask themselves as the Interdominions unfold their own unique brand of transtasman rivalry over the next fortnight.

Seven of our best pacers take on Australia's elite in the series starting on the Gold Coast tonight and if history is a guide, they face a massive task.

Only one New Zealand pacer - Yulestar in 2001 - has won the series on Australian soil since 1977.

And a lot of champions have been beaten trying.

Why should this year be any different?

Well, we have our strongest team in a long time, all trained and driven by our absolute best. And most arrived in Queensland in peak condition.

And the Aussies? They are led by a veteran champion, backed up by a few solid Grand Circuit performers and then a bunch of no-hopers.

And it helps the locals are missing two of their best, Melpark Major (Victoria Cup) and Divisive (Miracle Mile).

On class, on form and on performances at the highest level this season this is our Interdominion to lose.

The New Zealand team, headed by Auckland Reactor, is also greatly aided by the conditions of the series.

Having two rounds of heats a week apart suits the Kiwis a lot better than the three-in-a-week format of a normal Interdominion.

And for once our most favoured runners actually possess some gate speed, which has been our other Achilles heel in the last decade.

But our millionaires still have to overcome the heat, the flies, the travel and the small track.

INTERDOMINIONS

Where: Gold Coast, Australia.
When: Starts tonight.
How much: Four heats of A$45,000 each; three preliminary finals of A$65,000 each; final worth A$1 million.
Dates: Four 1609m heats tonight; three 2100m preliminary finals March 21; One 2609m final, consolation over same distance.
Numbers: 36 horses, including seven New Zealand representatives chasing 12 final spots.
The big guns: Auckland Reactor, Blacks A Fake, Changeover, Mr Feelgood, Mister Swinger, Gotta Go Cullen, Smoken Up, Awesome Armbro, I A Sam.
Watch: Trackside TV from 11pm tonight.
Odds: tab.co.nz

THE NEW ZEALAND CHANCES:

1. AUCKLAND REACTOR

Has to be the clear top pick in the series. Has been unbelievable this season and should be unbeaten (there are no standing starts in this series!). Beat two very good horses in the Auckland Cup last week and has drawn the easiest heat, which he should win tonight. That gives him an easy path into the final and he is one of the few horses here who could sit parked and win the final. Still, is very short for a horse who has yet to overcome some of the challenges this series offers.

"He is happy and so am I. At this stage everything is spot on."
- Trainer-driver Mark Purdon

2. MR FEELGOOD

Former US superstar who is one of the best pacers in the world at his peak. Champion trainer Tim Butt has done a wonderful job to get him ready for this and his brother, Anthony, is an outstanding form student. He has gate speed but looks best driven with a sit and does have the disadvantage of a horror draw tonight. Still, takes three bonus points into the series and is a certain finalist.

"He might get beaten in the first round by the draw but their isn't a horse in the series I am scared of, and that includes Auckland Reactor."
- Trainer Tim Butt

3. CHANGEOVER

Started the season our best open class pacer before two bolts from the blue in Auckland Reactor and Mr Feelgood arrived. Awesome in New Zealand Cup in November and if he got back to that form he could win this because he has the gate speed, manners and toughness. But his form has see- sawed as he has battled constant blood problems. Was still very good in the Hunter and Auckland Cups but will need to be better to win this series. Still, has great trainer- driver combo and is versatile. Also drawn in easier heat tonight so with two points he takes into the series he should definitely make the final.

"He has settled in well and felt very sharp yesterday [Thursday] morning. He will be hard to beat."
- Trainer Geoff Small

4. AWESOME ARMBRO

Fast horse who is probably the best suited of the Kiwis by the series format. Will love the mile tonight and the 2100m next week and has drawn a heat he can win first-up. His aim will be to make the final because he has never really shown he can beat the best pacers over a staying trip. Still, looks healthy and sounder than last season so should make the final.

"He gets his chance. I think with the right run he might have too much speed for them this week."
- Trainer Small, again

5. REPORT FOR DUTY

Never appeals as a horse who is going to win a really big races but has still won nearly $500,000. Has good manners and well suited to the smaller tracks in Australia,which he scoots around effortlessly. Drawn to be handy tonight and connections will drive him to get as many points as they can and then hope for a miracle draw in the final.

"He has actually worked really well this week, so I think he will go a big one on Saturday."
- Trainer Tim Butt

6. GOTTA GO CULLEN

How the mighty have fallen, or have the other just caught up? Last season's Auckland Cup winner has done little wrong this season. Well, not in mobile races anyway. But while he looks bigger and stronger than last year he also seems to be a slower. He has become a big, grinding stayer and this isn't the ideal track. Has a genius driver and will need him from the outside of the front line against Auckland Reactor tonight. Just making the final would be a huge result.

"The draw really hurts us as this is a tough track to come from back on."
- Trainer-driver Tony Herlihy

7. ZENAD

Originally set for this series to dodge Auckland Reactor in the Auckland Cup. But has blossomed in Australia and don't forget he finished fifth in the New Zealand Cup. Tricky draw against The Reactor tonight and might struggle to make the final but could win the consolation. Looks a horse who could be even better next season.

"He is well, but making the final would be a good result."
- Small, again