Racing: Moonee Valley bends to test Delft

MELBOURNE - What chance Delft has of winning the Interdominions depends on who you pose the question to.

Ask trainer Michelle Wallis and she tells you the mammoth Kiwi trotter will only get better after his brave heat win at Ballarat on Saturday night.

Ask any rival Australian trainer or most bookies and they suggest that he will need a miracle to bend his massive frame around the tighter Moonee Valley track where the series moves to this Saturday.

Delft is the top points scorer by virtue of trotting the faster time in Saturday night's two heats, the other being won by fellow Kiwi rep Prince Sundon.

Wallis says her stable star went into the race well short of his best after she struggled to find him a suitable beach to work on last week.

"He was well short of his best and I am sure he will be a lot fitter next week," said Wallis.

"I am just relieved to get that win out of the way."

While nobody could doubt Delft's courage to fight back when headed by Calder Sensation in the straight, he still looks ill at ease on the bends

That may only get worse at Moonee Valley, a fact many rival horsemen are banking on.

But Wallis believes that will not be a problem.

"He corners better than people realise and I am not worried about it."

Bookies don't share the same view, with some having Delft as long as $8 to win the final on Sunday week.

Of the Kiwis to finish behind Delft, only Pompallier would still be a winning chance in the final after he peaked on his run to finish fifth.

While Prince Sundon led throughout to win the second heat it was the run of Australian star A Touch Of Flair that most caught the eye.

He was checked early but trotted an enormous race afterwards to finish third, with Whatsundermykilt second after trailing.

The win was trainer-driver John Hay's first training success in Australia since Franco Enforce won the Australian Derby in 1997.

That saw Prince Sundon shorten into $11 just weeks after being a $50 chance to win the series.

"He has always had the ability to do what he is doing now but last season he had a nagging soreness problem," said Hay.

"I don't know why but it has got over that and while he may not be a big name horse he is here and we are in with a chance."

The big concern of the race was Genius, who galloped early and then failed to corner evenly, and Cambridge trotter Romper Stomper also faces a big task to make the final after galloping early.