By MICHAEL GUERIN
BRISBANE - Dennis Wilson never has been and never will be scared of Courage Under Fire.
But the man behind Interdominion favourite Atitagain admits he thinks Courage Under Fire will beat him tonight.
The pair clash in the sixth pacing heat at Albion Park tonight in a race that will have a major bearing on series favouritism.
Wilson was impressed by Courage Under Fire's dramatic return to form on Saturday night but is adamant Atitagain will be too good for him when the chips are down later in the series.
But he is willing to concede tonight's heat.
"I know my horse is better than Courage Under Fire," said Wilson.
"Sure Courage Under Fire will be hard to beat in the Final if he gets to the lead but I just think my horse will outstay him.
"But in this heat I think he will beat us because of the draws. He follows out a fast beginner in Jonells Son which means he should end up in front of me.
"From there we will be hard pressed beating him because when I go to move he can come out in front of me.
"On this track, at this early stage of the series, that doesn't give me a lot of options.
"But things will be different by Grand Final night when my horse is at his peak."
Wilson's comments, coupled with the renewed vigour for racing Courage Under Fire showed on Saturday night, would suggest the little former Kiwi should win again in what would be a boost for the spirits of trainer Brian Hancock, whose mother passed away on Sunday.
The race is the final heat of the night for pacers but the strongest is the second heat, where Yulestar clashes with defending champion Shakamaker.
While Yulestar has drawn the outside of the front line, driver Tony Shaw is determined to find the front on the New Zealand Cup winner.
"I thought he went super on Saturday night and he will be better this time because of the longer distance.
"I will be going out of the gate and if we lead I think Shakamaker will be flat catching us."
Shakamaker is in desperate need of some points after an unusual drive from John Justice resulted in him finishing only fourth on Saturday night.
Justice will undoubtedly move earlier tonight, but whether he is good enough to give Yulestar a start and a beating is doubtful.
The first heat brings together the fastest front line of the series, and gives Ouch a chance to get back into Grand Final contention.
The Mark Purdon-trained gelding had no chance from a bad draw in Pocket Me's Australian record mile on Saturday night but should lead or at least settle handy in the 2138m heat.
From there he looks ideally placed to outkick Safe And Sound and Holmes D G, who will have to work harder than Ouch from their draws.
"He will be better for his run on Saturday night and this heat is his chance from the draw," said Purdon.
Safe And Sound's driver John Justice has indicated he will go forward from his draw and looks an each way chance but the question mark horse of the heat is Holmes D G.
He was slightly disappointing on Saturday night but trainer-driver Barry Purdon was not overly concerned and expects a better run tonight.
"This season he has usually been a better horse second up and that was his first run since Melbourne on Saturday night.
"I think he will go a lot better but he is going to need some luck from that draw."
Of even more concern than the draw is Holmes D G's lack of form in the last two years when asked to chase in his races, rather than adopting his preferred pacemaking role. If he is to be a Grand Final chance he has to at least place tonight.
Racing: Revived Courage looks set to overcome favourite
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