KEY POINTS:
Paul Nairn broke his usual raceday routine yesterday and he didn't like what he saw.
The Canterbury trainer of trotting freak Stig had two horses racing at Oamaru yesterday and for the unbelievably methodical Nairn that would usually mean a morning of cleaning gear and preparing the racing team.
But yesterday he made time to view recorded coverage of Saturday night's Interdominion heats at Ballarat.
What he saw may be the only two serious challengers in Australasia to Stig's dominance.
While Stig was staggering when smashing the national 1950m record - he took 2:22.70 for a mile rate of 1:57.70 - after being slow away at Addington on Saturday, he was racing horses he was always going to beat - especially with young gun Sovereignty off his game.
But hours later, first Sundon's Gift, then, more impressively, Kiwi mare One Over Kenny produced massive winning performances in their heats of the Inters, setting up a true transtasman final at Moonee Valley next Saturday.
And that also paves the way for one of the greatest trotting races in a decade with all three - as well as Springbank Richard, Sovereignty and Our Sunny Whiz - being aimed for the $300,000 Rowe Cup on May 1.
The polite and understated Nairn knows he has a special horse in Stig, but he admired what he saw yesterday.
"They are the two horses we have to worry about," he admitted.
"One Over Kenny has always been very good and she looks right back to her best.
"If she is able to get in front of Stig in a race like the Rowe Cup we will be flat out beating her.
"And Sundon's Gift also has a big motor. It should be a good race between them next week and if we all meet in the Rowe Cup."
That looks certain as One Over Kenny will return home for the
Rowe while Sundon's Gift's trainer Chris Lang has been keen on the Rowe all season.
Before then the pair have next Saturday's A$250,000 Interdominion Final to fight out, with One Over Kenny the $1.90 favourite ahead of the Victorian at $2.60.
One Over Kenny effortlessly dealt to her rivals on Saturday night (early Sunday morning NZ time) and will only need to perform to that level again at Moonee Valley next week to be the horse to beat.
But with the mare still not foolproof left-handed and plenty of talent among the Australian trotters, Interdominion glory is anything but a foregone conclusion.
Her comeback to sizzling summer form and Stig's dominance of South Island trotting sets up a fascinating clash with some powerful historical symmetry.
Back in the mid-1990s Nairn trained wonderful trotter Call Me Now, who was nearly unbeatable at his best while in the north champion mare Pride Of Petite ruled.
Pride Of Petite could never beat Call Me Now at Addington but was the better horse at Alexandra Park and in Australia, being smaller and nippier.
Pride Of Petite was even driven to one of her Interdominion Final victories by One Over Kenny's trainer-driver Tony Herlihy.
The strengths of the pair 15 years ago are mirrored in the two modern-day superstars and while Stig may be a complete freak, he will only need to be a few per cent below his best going right-handed to be vulnerable to One Over Kenny's relentless style.
"Outside of my horse I haven't seen a trotter go as good for a long time as she [One Over Kenny] did at Alexandra Park at Christmas time," said Nairn.
In a season where much has been made of the greatness of Auckland Reactor and his past and pending clashes with Changeover and Monkey King, the true battle of the giants could actually be between the great trotters.
Stig may prepare for the Rowe Cup with a scouting trip to Alexandra Park for Auckland Cup week.
"I will work him right-handed this week and make a decision but I'd say we will be coming," said Nairn of Cup Week.
If he brings Stig north he will be accompanied by stablemate Red, who racked up three impressive wins to claim the West Coast bonus at Christmas.
Inter Dominion final field (not in barrier order): Sundon's Gift, One Over Kenny, Save A Sixpence, Skyvalley, Whatsundermykilt, Conquer All, Will Trapper, Sundons Tiavon, Ella Powell, Ronerail, Billy Royle, False Gem (emergency).
