Racing: Scandinavian trotters sign for Addington

Lyell Creek and regular driver Anthony Butt flew the flag for New Zealand in Scandinavia. Photo / Supplied

The Christchurch Interdominions could become a truly international series, with spin-offs for Auckland's Rowe Cup meeting as well.

Five Scandinavian-based trotter were nominated for the Addington series by the deadline yesterday, with indications that at least two of them could make the trip.

That was just one bright spot, with Addington officials thrilled that almost every serious player in Australasian harness racing had been nominated for what will be the last great dual-gaited Interdominion.

All the big-name New Zealand pacers and trotters were nominated, with only struggling Victorian star Melpark Major missing from Australia's best pacers.

But it is the trotters who provide the novelty, with the five Scandinavians nominated.

Scandinavia's elite trotters are lengths better than Australasia's, proven by the fact local greats like Lyell Creek and Sundon's Gift have failed to even qualify for the rich Elitlopp Final after competing in heats.

While the trotters nominated aren't the absolute best from that part of the world, their participation in the series would be a huge bonus for not only the club but trotting in Australasia.

It could also help kick-start the Racing Board's plans to internationalise our racing product by exporting television coverage of the series.

Plans to lure Scandinavian trotters here were masterminded by leading driver Anthony Butt, who campaigned Lyell Creek in Scandinavia in 2001.

"It will be great for New Zealand trotting to have these sort of horses here," said Butt.

He has worked with Swedish administrator Klaus Koch, who has facilitated Australasian trotters going to Sweden, to find the right sort of horses for the venture.

"Klaus found the horses, spoke to their connections and we took care of some stuff from this end," said Butt.

"There is still work to be done but Addington have been good about putting together a realistic package and we have found free stabling and accommodation for them down here.

"It will still cost them money to come but it is also an unforgettable experience and I think there is about a 75 per cent chance we will see at least a couple of them here."

One of the trotters nominated is trained by Sweden's leading driver Bjorn Goop, who competed in the World Driving Championships here three years ago.

To make the trip, the Scandinavian trotters would need to enter quarantine in Newmarket, England, in a few weeks and while they could not be driven in work there, they can still stay fit.

"We have worked on getting them a huge paddock, which will mean they can be ridden," said Butt.

"And then by the time they get down here and out of quarantine they would have about five weeks of work before the series.

"So there is a lot of things that need to go right yet but we are all pretty excited about it."

The spin-off for Auckland is if the Scandinavians do come to Addington they are almost certain to stay for the Rowe Cup on May 6.

Their possible participation and the dearth of knowledge about them in this part of the world will provide a headache for bookmakers when the earliest markets for the series are framed.

Already they have to choose from a star-studded list, including four-time winner Blacks A Fake, Monkey King, Mr Feelgood, Auckland Reactor, Smoken Up, Villagem, Stunin Cullen and De Lovely to mention a few in the pacing ranks.

Now the trotters will have two-time winner Sundon's Gift, I Can Doosit, Down Under Muscles, Ima Gold Digger, Sovereignty, Raydon and Stylish Monarch, as well as five potentially high-class raiders nobody has ever heard of.

One trotter who won't be there though is One Over Kenny, with our only millionaire trotting mare being retired after cutting a leg racing at Alexandra Park last Friday. The two-time Rowe Cup winner, who won 32 of her 65 starts including 14 at the Park, has gone to stud on a disappointing note but at the end of a remarkable career.

"She has gone some great things and while it is sad to see her retired she had nothing left to prove to me," said trainer-driver Tony Herlihy of the 9-year-old Sundon mare.

INTERDOM RAIDERS

* Five Scandinavian trotters are among the entries for the Interdominions in Christchurch in March.

* It is rated a 75 per cent chance at least two of them will be here for the series.

* If they make the trip they are likely to stay on for the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park.

* Addington officials are delighted with the very strong nominations for the series.