Racing: US speedster surprise rival for Reactor

Auckland Reactor has taken no harm from his Interdominion campaign. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A former US pacing star is a shock rival for champion Auckland Reactor when he returns to Alexandra Park on Friday night.

Genuwine was good enough to pace a mile in 1:50.4 as a juvenile in the United States and won a heat of the prestigious Little Brown Jug as a 3- year-old last season.

After winning almost US$280,000 he was purchased by huge spending Queensland owner Clive Palmer and is now trained in New South Wales by Adam Ruggari.

Ruggari has total respect for Auckland Reactor and says he and Palmer are not expecting Genuwine to beat the Kiwi champ.

"But we have a very good horse and he deserves a shot at some top races," said Ruggari.

"So we will tackle the Mile this week and the Messenger the week after and if he races well there he might win enough money for the Harness Jewels (May 30)."

Genuwine has had only two starts in Australia, pacing a 1:54.8 mile when beaten fresh-up before winning effortlessly at Newcastle last Saturday night.

But he faces a huge task on Friday night after drawing barrier seven, the outside of the front line in the $100,000 Woodlands Taylor Mile, which is actually not a Mile but 1700m.

Drawn directly inside him is Auckland Reactor, who will be having his first start since his dramatic Interdominion failure as a hot favourite on March 28.

The great pacer over-raced viciously that night after becoming upset because his rear hooves were striking the inside disc of his sulky wheels.

Trainer Mark Purdon says he will race Auckland Reactor in a longer sulky this week and is adamant the champ has taken no harm from his expensive failure.

"We had him thoroughly checked out when he got back to New Zealand and the vets said he was fine.

"We have just had to put it behind us and his work since has been great."

Auckland Reactor had a private workout at Alexandra Park on Saturday morning and paced 2400m in 3:8, his last 800m in 56 seconds.

"He felt great and I couldn't be happier with him." said Purdon.

With only six rivals this week, Auckland Reactor will start a red-hot favourite, even though he does meet in-form rivals in All Tiger, Pembrook Benny, Ohoka Dallas and Georgetown.

His dominance should be good news for one lucky punter on Friday night as Auckland Reactor is the centre of a unique promotion.

His connections have agreed to let one Alexandra Park patron win 10 per cent of Auckland Reactor for the night.

Patrons can enter the "Own The Champ" promotion simply by being on course and putting their name on the back of any losing tote ticket.

The winner will be drawn an hour before the race and get a behind-the-scene view as Auckland Reactor prepares for the feature, which they and a friend will watch with Purdon.

But more importantly they will win 10 per cent of any stakemoney he wins, which could be valued at around $5200, his racing colours signed by Purdon and driver Blair Orange, a replica trophy and the chance to be part of the official post-race presentation should Auckland Reactor win.

Friday night's meeting will also see a $175,000 2-year-old fillies pace, a $70,000 3-year-old trot featuring rising star Ima Good Digger and the final lead-up to the Rowe Cup, in which One Over Kenny will continue her push toward the $1 million stakes milestone.

US SHOCK

* Former US pacer Genuwine is a surprise rival for Auckland Reactor at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
* Genuwine has a fastest mile time three seconds inside the New Zealand record.
* Auckland Reactor is having his first start since his sensational Interdominion failure on March 28.
* One on-course patron will win 10 per cent of Auckland Reactor, including stakes, for the night.