Horse Racing: Favouritism a poisoned chalice

By Michael Guerin

There is a new game in harness racing. It is called temporary Interdominion favouritism and nobody wants to win.

The rules are simple. All your pacer has to do is turn up at Alexandra Park, brilliantly win an Interdominion heat and then completely throw itself down.

So far we have two winners. While racing fans were still mourning the retirement of Christian Cullen yesterday the Interdominion favouritism crown slipped off another head.

Agua Caliente proved his ability to run is only matched by his ability to get sick.

He has been struck down by a viral complaint and was yesterday undergoing intensive treatment.

Agua Caliente's connections will apply to the Interdominion council for dispensation to allow him to race in the final heat on Friday with the aim of gaining enough points to still make next week's final.

That idea was upsetting some rival trainers yesterday but they can stop their moaning before it starts.

If Agua Caliente's previous history with illness is anything to go by, he won't be over it by Friday night, he won't contest another heat and he won't be in the Grand Final.

Trainer Peter Wolfenden was still optimistic yesterday but horses do not get sick at the start of the Interdominions and keep going.

Barring a miracle, forget Agua Caliente.

His scratching from tonight's heat and probably the series leaves some huge question marks hanging in the air.

So Iraklis is the new series favourite. But in this new game anything can happen.

Iraklis comprehensively won his heat on Friday night but still looks a couple of lengths below the freakish pacer of 18 months ago. The times are there but when Ricky May presses the accelerator these days the response isn't as quick.

The big horse faces a huge task tonight in what is clearly the strongest of the three pacing heats.

Iraklis will have to overcome a wide draw on a very fast front line which includes defending champion Sir Vancelot and a determined Brian Hancock.

The little Australian declared he wants the lead tonight and if he gets there, his reputation should ensure he is not attacked.

That could mean horses like Iraklis, Brabham and Surprise Package have to be driven with a sit, from where they would need a lot of luck to win.

"I realise I need some points from this heat so I will be going forward and I would like the front," Hancock said.

"The horse is well and we are ready for a big run."

If Sir Vancelot lowers Iraklis' colours tonight then he is a serious challenger for series favouritism.

If there is to be an upset, look for Surprise Package's odds to shrink tonight as he could get an economical run along the markers and be the bolter if Hancock's pre-race plan comes unstuck.

But the favouritism crown could be stolen away from Iraklis an hour before he does battle with Sir Vancelot.

Tonight's second pacing heat looks an absolute walk in the park for Bogan Fella and his expected victory would push him very close to series favouritism.

"I would have to look at going out of the gate and trying to lead in that field and I couldn't be happier with him," said trainer-driver Mark Purdon.

Bogan Fella is one of the few pacers in the series who will be suited by both the four races in a fortnight and the 3200m mobile final.

Already many of the leading horsemen in the series are labelling him the pacer to beat.

Tonight's first pacing heat could provide the value for punters with Franco Hat Trick and Happy Asset looking serious threats to the favourites Kate's First and Quantum Lobell.

Quantum Lobell should lead but is not the horse he used to be and he may be forced to take a sit.

That could leave Kate's First in front and if she rolls along as usual, the race will suit a swooper sitting handy.

That scenario suits both Franco Hat Trick and Happy Asset perfectly.

Happy Asset was unlucky on the first night when he never got clear but driver Anthony Butt said a change of luck is all that stands between his star and an Intedom heat win.

"He loves this track and the series format suits him fine because he doesn't take anything out of himself when he races," Butt said yesterday.

"He is only a step behind the best ones and with some luck I think he can win this."

Franco Hat Trick is nearing his best again after a recent flat patch and should continue to improve right for the rest of the series.