Michael Guerin: Elsu’s secret weapon is respect

It is not his speed, although that sure helps.

And it is not his strength, although that won't do him any harm if things get ugly.

It's not even the toughness that has seen him thrive during the hardest fortnight of his life. Nice bonus though.

What should win Elsu tonight's $750,000 Interdominion pacing final is respect.

His other attributes, bundled into a 480kg package that comes equipped with expert trainer and ice-cool driver, are the tools that can make him an Interdominion champion.

But respect is what makes the difference. Respect is Elsu's weapon of mass destruction.

If Elsu was a $4 favourite, and rival drivers were wildly entertaining images of glory, his barrier seven could be a nightmare.

He could end up trapped back in a sprint home or parked three wide outside gung-ho Aussies like Sokyola and Flashing Red.

In those scenarios even the hottest favourite in Intedominion history becomes vulnerable.

But that is where respect kicks in. Elsu's barrier has almost ensured he can't lead. That honour, or maybe it is a poisoned chalice, will fall to Sokyola.

So then Elsu is either going to settle parked out, in the running line, or most likely, close to last.

Once the 13 combatants settle, stayers like Young Rufus and Flashing Red have to make a move to give themselves any chance.

David Butcher can either let them go or follow them with Elsu because either way, once he puts the pressure on three wide his rivals drivers are almost certain to hand him the parked out position.

From there he has to run past Sokyola and hold the swoopers at bay, which he has found easy so far.

So if this is so bleeding obvious why don't the other drivers do something about it?

Let's get back to respect. And bring in that old favourite, money.

They tried parking Elsu three wide in the Hunter Cup and he rewarded the petulant with headaches that may never go away.

So why would a rival driver try it tonight? Get into a war with the champ and, particularly with his speed, who will hurt any other horse in the 2700m race.

Under those circumstances Elsu might not win but the other horse would be sure to come off worse.

And when you are racing for $750,000 nobody wants to come off worse.

Outside Lance Justice, driving Sokyola, every other reinsman this week has indicated they wouldn't be entirely upset with finishing second, for which the stake is almost as good as winning an Auckland Cup.

So consider this: Would you throw away a chance at a massive second stake simply to screw up Elsu so somebody else could win?

The answer for most is no.

If the race does become a war between others, a fresh Elsu should be able to swoop wide on the tiring leaders, a scenario in which he is probably his most potent.

If they go slow, respect should ensure he is able to get handy without the threat of being parked wide.

Trainer Geoff Small put the final piece of the puzzle in place last night. "I got his blood tests back today and it was perfect, the best it has been all year. I hate to say it but he has got better."

Maybe that is case closed.

Are you getting value backing Elsu at $1.45? Absolutely not.

Should he win? Absolutely.