BRISBANE - There are few things as sacred as the bond between father and son. Except maybe winning an Interdominion Final.
That might be the way Victorian horseman Ted Demmler views tonight's classic after producing the shock of the week.
Demmler stunned rival drivers by replacing son Craig behind Breeny's Fella in tonight's Final.
Demmler is one of the greats of Australian harness racing, having reined more than 3000 winners. But Craig has done most of the work with Breeny Fella's.
The younger Demmler won last season's Victoria Cup on the New Zealand-bred gelding and has driven him expertly in this series to snare the last place in tonight's classic.
But last Sunday he got the call telling him Dad would be taking over the reins.
Ted will tell you it was Craig's idea. Craig says that is rubbish.
"Look, if he wants to drive it that is up to him because he is the trainer but there is no way I asked him to," said Craig, "I'm spewing about it."
Ted Demmler has never won an Interdominion and in the twilight of his career obviously sees tonight as one of his few remaining chances.
A potent sit-sprinter, Breeny's Fella was heavily backed after qualifying for the final last week but has drifted after drawing barrier six.
New Zealand representative Ouch also faces a change: three new owners.
The Mark Purdon-trained pacer was sold to the United States last year and ownership has been expanded.
But Purdon is not going into the race confident.
"On how he has performed in the heats I can't see him winning.
"He has the gate speed to use his draw but I don't think he can cross Pocket Me. I can see him finishing third or fourth."
Purdon rates Shakamaker the horse to beat if he gets the right run.
"But I also think Yulestar could be a big danger because he will do no work on the fence and could get off at the right time."
* Albion Park will turn into a punting coliseum tonight.
This Interdominion series has already wildly exceeded turnover expectations after drawing the strongest bookmaking ring in Australia for a decade.
Big bookmakers willing to take bets of any size have attracted huge punters from interstate and with at least six realistic winning chances in tonight's Grand Final the money go round is set to roll into overdrive.
"The place is going to go crazy," says Australia's best known harness bookmaker Steve Single.
"There will be a lot of big players there spending some serious money and not everybody can win. There are going to be some very sad boys one way or another on Sunday morning."
Shakamaker has been the best backed runner since drawing well.
"I don't think that draw suits him so I am potting him.
"I expect a lot of money to come for Persistency and Atitagain with some for Yulestar too because of all the Kiwis here, while Courage Under Fire will be well backed because the small punters love him."
Officials expect 18,000 tonight.
But the betting hasn't been big just in Australia.
New Zealand TAB bookies are thrilled with how much they are holding in their book but won't be cheering for a Kiwi victory.
"Holmes D G is our worst result so we won't be yelling for him," said one TAB bookie.
"We are hoping for Yulestar or Atitagain after what has been some good betting on the race."
Even if he doesn't win the bet of the carnival must go to Cee New York's trainer-driver Michael Langdon.The former Cambridge horseman backed his stable star three months ago with several Australian bookies at 1000-1 and stands to make around $250,000 for a small outlay should he win tonight.
The latest market in Australia last night was: $3, Shakamaker; $5 Atitagain; $6.50, Courage Under Fire, Persistency; $9 Yulestar; $13 Pocket Me; $20 Holmes D G; $25, Ouch; $33 Breeny's Fella; $50 Cee New York; $67, Lombo Rapida; $100, Wally Walton.
Racing: Trainer pulls rank on son to drive in final
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.