By MICHAEL GUERIN
Two New Zealand raids on Australia's richest harness racing carnival burst into life as two more ended at the weekend.
New Zealand Cup hero Yulestar drew first blood for the Kiwis in the lead-up to the Nights Of Glory carnival with an easy win in Saturday night's $A40,000 Ballarat Cup.
After a perfect drive from Tony Shaw, Yulestar cruised to a victory which eased any immediate concerns over the blood complaints which have affected him since November.
The favourite had to win after being given the economical sit in the one-one and when Lombo Rapida crushed the leader at the 400m that left Yulestar to slingshot to victory.
The win shortened Yulestar into challenging for favouritism for both the Victoria and Hunter Cups, the first of which will be run at Moonee Valley on February 10.
"He won very easily and should be even better for the run because he hadn't raced since the Auckland Cup," said Shaw.
While Shaw was thrilled to have his pride and joy back to his best, just as happy was his good friend Todd Mitchell, who drove sixth-placed Homin Hosed.
The other New Zealand Cup winner in the field settled last in his first start for a year but rattled home for sixth.
"It was a good effort because they went a track record and he was really the only horse to be making ground," said Mitchell.
Homin Hosed may now head to Moonee Valley and a clash with Black Cam in a free-for-all next week as his final lead-up to the Victoria Cup.
While Yulestar and Homin Hosed pleased their connections so too did Ouch, who held third after tracking Yulestar three back on the outside.
His trainer Mark Purdon tasted success earlier in the night with Cigar, who graduated to open class in an intermediate grade race.
But while most of the Kiwis were starring, one of the journeymen of New Zealand open class pacing, Happy Asset, disappointed.
He galloped for no reason in the home straight in the cup and his participation in the Nights Of Glory carnival must now be in doubt.
One open class star who definitely won't be joining the assault on the Victorian riches is Mac De Stroyer.
The Todd MacFarlane trained pacer was a lacklustre second behind Holmes D G at the Alexandra Park workouts on Saturday.
"I won't be taking him to Melbourne now.
"You can't go to a carnival like that unless you are dead right and obviously at the moment he isn't," said MacFarlane.
"I will set him for the Easter Cup and Interdominions instead."
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