KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's chances of having an Interdominion pacing finalist received two big blows with yesterday's barrier draws.
Our only two reps in the series, Report For Duty and Spirit Of A Shark, have both copped tough draws in the toughest of the two semi-finals at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.
The pair need to finish in the first five - or as the fastest sixth placegetter - to qualify for the $750,000 final on Saturday week.
Report For Duty was the far more favoured of the pair after winning his heat at Geelong last Saturday but he now faces starting from the outside of the second line, while Spirit Of A Shark will start wide on the front line.
As if that wasn't difficult enough the pair must take on series hot favourite Blacks A Fake, Hunter Cup runner-up Smoken Up and Taylor Mile winner Divisive.
With those three all drawn the front line they look certain of making it through to the final, meaning there may only be two or three final spots open from that heat.
Safari has opened a $1.50 favourite for the other semi-final after drawing barrier one.
Champion New Zealand trotting mare One Over Kenny has also not fared well in the draw. She will start from the second line in the strongest of the two trotting semi-finals.
She will take on New Zealand's other leading hope, Galleons Sunset, in her semi and the latter is now the second favourite for the $250,000 final after Australia's best trotter, Sundon's Gift, was withdrawn with a back injury. The other semi should see Canterbury trotter Whatsundermykilt start favourite after he drew well.
Meanwhile, Tribute emerged as the sleeper in the Auckland Trotting Cup market with an easy win at the Ashburton trials yesterday. The New Zealand Cup placegetter cruised over 2400m mobile in 3:3, pacing his last 800m in 55.4 seconds.
He has not raced since the New Zealand Cup meeting, having missed summer racing with a quarter crack but co-trainer Tim Butt believes he can still win the Alexandra Park classic on March 7.
"He may not have had the racing some of the others have but he is been working great at the beach," said Butt.
