KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's assault on the Interdominion Pacing Championships has doubled - but we still have virtually no chance of winning.
For the first time in a decade, no leading New Zealand pacer will make the trip to Melbourne to contest the series, which culminates in a A$750,000 ($855,000) final on March 1.
That is partially because of the equine influenza (EI) travel restrictions, as well as several key contenders, like Changeover pulling out after hard spring campaigns.
Just a few days ago it looked as though only Franklin Cup winner Report For Duty would make the trip, and even then his main aim will be the A$400,000 Hunter Cup on February 3.
But Canterbury trainer Dean Taylor has sprung a surprise by deciding he will take Waipawa Lad to the series, even though the veteran pacer has won only one race in 20 months.
It was the right race though, with his national record win in the New Zealand Free-For-All in November earning him automatic entry into the Interdom semi-finals on February 23.
And if he finishes in the top five that night he is through to the final.
Taylor has never campaigned a horse in Australia before and is not a frequent traveller but says one of Waipawa Lad's owner, Ron Bennett, put the trip in perspective for him.
"Ron said, 'I don't want to be lying in bed wondering while they are running the Interdominions'," said Taylor. "That sounds right to me so we are going." Both the Kiwis will be at least $30 in early Interdom markets and their task will get harder tonight as one of the real superstars of Australasian pacing returns in the Shepparton Cup.
Divisive, the New South Wales pacer who won the Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park in April, returns to the track after a six-month break enforced by the lack of racing in his home state because of EI.
He came out of the quarantine base established for interstate Interdom contenders in Geelong only yesterday so will be below peak fitness tonight.
Former Cambridge pacer Smoken Up will start a warm favourite in the A$100,000 South Australian Cup tonight, while early Saturday morning (NZ time) glamour pacer Lombo Pocket Watch was attempting to qualify for the Interdominions in the A$250,000 West Australian Cup.
