KEY POINTS:
Top driver Gavin Lang is planning a welcome to Australia party for Changeover tonight but it may not be a friendly one.
Lang, rated the most astute reinsman in Australia, will partner the unbeaten Boris Badenov against Changeover in the A$20,000 ($23,000) semifinal of the Australasian Breeders Crown at Ballarat.
Changeover was rated a $1.08 favourite in the New Zealand TAB's fixed odds market for his Australian debut tonight but Lang says it may not be simply a matter of turning up and winning for the Kiwi champion.
"We all know Changeover is a mighty, mighty horse but we aren't just going to give the race to him," said Lang.
"Boris is a very good horse and while he doesn't have experience against these sort of horses, his recent form is good around horses who have been racing well. I am not saying we will beat Changeover but it might be closer than people think."
Boris Badenov broke 27s for his last 400m when winning his heat of the series two weeks ago and has drawn inside Changeover tonight.
"I can see us getting the lead and I wouldn't mind staying there if we did," said Lang.
He says the fact tonight's race is only a semifinal before Sunday's rich finals could help Boris Badenov.
"I don't think the Changeover team will want to make it too hard a race heading into Sunday so we might get a chance to park him out. Either way we are going to be in front or close to the pace so he will know he has been to the races."
The clash between the glamour horses with the string of wins next to their names will be one of the highlights of a rare high-class Tuesday night meeting.
The first five home in tonight's semifinals as well as the fastest sixth placed horse qualify for Sunday's finals and the best Kiwi chance for a win is One Dream.
She is drawn the ace in the weaker of the two 3-year-old fillies' heats and dominates betting, as does Lombo Pocket Watch in the first colt's heat.
Not so well placed though are other New Zealand reps Justa Tiger, Belletti and Shez Spicey.
The latter pair have tricky draws in the best field of the night, up against outstanding Australian fillies Fleur De Lil and Miss Hazel.
With Fleur De Lil drawn the ace she should lead throughout, with Lang doubting he can come off her back with Miss Hazel.
"My filly is very good but Fleur De Lil has had a perfect preparation and she is the one to beat on Tuesday and Sunday."
Justa Tiger will start from the outside of the second line in the strongest 2-year-old male pacing heat but does have the advantage of series favourite Maffioso also starting back there so there should be mid-race moves.
Justa Tiger was impressive enough beating older horses at Alexandra Park last start that it would surprise if he did not make it through to the final.
With the TAB providing fixed odds betting on the entire programme the meeting looks perfect for multi bet fans and Lang suggests Kept For Pleasure will get them off on the right foot early on.
"I think she is spot on. She will be very hard to beat."
