By MICHAEL GUERIN
The trip of John MacQuibban's life just got better.
The Papakura trainer will put his lengthy battle with bone marrow cancer behind him this week when he boards a plane for Sydney today.
It will be the first time MacQuibban has been out of New Zealand and the trip is not without risk as he still requires treatment.
But Classic Turbo makes the trip worthwhile.
The find of the northern pacing season clashes with Interdominion champion Shakamaker in Friday night's $A200,000 Chariots Of Fire at Harold Park.
While Classic Turbo continued his incredible season with an effortless win at Alexandra Park two weeks ago he would need to really pull something out of the bag to defeat Shakamaker.
But he is going to get his shot at the champ.
Classic Turbo has got the best of the draws for Friday and will start from the ace in the 2160m 4-year-old event.
The only bad news is Shakamaker will start from barrier three. Between the pair will be Canterbury pacer Pocket Me while the third Kiwi in the race Pic Me Pockets, has drawn barrier seven in the feature which will see eight horses start off the front line, a rarity at Harold Park.
That sets up an early speed duel between Classic Turbo and Pocket Me to secure the front, giving them the option of handing up to Shakamaker when his driver John Justice makes his inevitable bid for the front.
While Pocket Me showed blazing gate speed to lead on the way to winning at Harold Park last Friday, Classic Turbo has shown gate speed the only time he was asked to leave the mobile, when winning the Cambridge Classic in March.
"The start could be a bit of a problem because he doesn't have a lot of practice at leaving the gate," said MacQuibban.
"But I will leave that part up to Maurice McKendry. All I know is the horse is well and worked very well last Friday."
The field for the Chariots is.- Classic Turbo (1), Pocket Me (2), Shakamaker (3), Stoney Lad (4), Silky Pockets (5), Pazam (6), Lombo Rapida (7), Wally Walton (8), Pic Me Pockets (9), Drop Dead Gorgeous (1). Emergencies: Silky Pockets, Wally Walton.
Racing: Shot at Inter champ made easier by ace draw
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