By MICHAEL GUERIN
New Zealand standardbred breeders can rest assured - the King will be back.
Champion stallion In The Pocket is certain to return to Woodlands Stud at Clevedon next breeding season, even though he left for Australia this week.
In The Pocket was flown on Monday to Alabar Farms in Victoria where he will stay until September so his semen can be frozen for next breeding season.
The move was necessary after frozen semen transported to Australia from the stallion's then United States base last term did not travel well.
But In The Pocket's arrival in Melbourne boosted speculation he would be staying in Australia.
Alabar chief Alan Galloway suggested yesterday that In The Pocket's owner George Shaw was keen for the valuable stallion to stay in Australia.
But Woodlands Stud managing director Andrew Grierson says Alabar Farms are in for a surprise.
"In The Pocket will be standing here next breeding season for sure," said Grierson.
"I am travelling to the United States next week to finalise our contract with George Shaw for next breeding season and there is no question of him not coming back."
In The Pocket has had phenomenal success since coming to New Zealand seven years ago, leaving champions Christian Cullen, Courage Under Fire and Tupelo Rose as well as millionaire mare Under Cover Lover.
He served 300 mares last season at a $10,000 fee, a price Grierson expects to be retained next season.
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Last Sunset may not have had the most conventional Rowe Cup prepration but at least he did something right on Saturday.
The giant trotter is one of the most exciting horses in the north but has often ruined his chances this season with early gallops.
So trainer John Dickie was happy just to see the 4-year-old trot throughout at the Cambridge workouts on Saturday.
"He won well enough and while he didn't beat much at least he trotted well, which is half the battle with him," said Dickie.
Last Sunset has had an interrupted build-up to Friday night's $100,000 Cup and Dickie admits he cannot beat Lyell Creek.
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As if winning wasn't easy enough for trotting sensation Enthusiast, her arch rival has been scratched for Friday night's Rosso Antico Stakes.
Fellow southerner Flip Flop is heading home after a disappointing performance at Alexandra Park last Friday.
The Murray Edmonds-trained 3-year-old was found to be off-colour after he raced well below his best in the Sires Stakes Championship won effortlessly by Enthusiast.
Flip Flop will be prepared for the Easter Cup meeting.
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Mark Jones broke the national junior drivers' record two days early at Motukaraka yesterday.
Jones expected to get the one victory required to equal David Butcher's 60 wins in a season but thought he would not be able to set a new record until Forbury Park tomorrow night.
But he was thrilled to overcome a wide draw with Romanston in the fourth, giving him two for the day after Travel Bug had won the third. That took him to the new record of 61 wins.
"It is something special to get a record like this but the thanks have to lie with the trainers and owners who put me on their horses," said the 21-year-old.
Racing: Star stallion's return to Clevedon assured
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