Interdom star maps raids on home turf

Elsu, racing's brightest star, will not be taking on the world's best pacers.

Instead he will stay in Australasia to be set for a $2 million campaign over the next 12 months.

The connections of the Interdominion hero have declined invitations to start in both the US Pacing Championship and the Breeders Crown in August and September.

"We had a good talk about it but the owners weren't that keen," said trainer Geoff Small.

"Being a stallion he is extremely valuable and a lot could go wrong if we took him to the States.

"Sure, he could also win a lot of money but the money he would be racing for up there isn't that much better than what he can win down here, just it might take longer down here.

"Part of me would love to go but another part of me wants to see him win a New Zealand Cup and a race like the Miracle Mile, so I am still happy either way."

The North American campaign was also complicated by the fact Elsu's connections would have had to pay a US$75,000 ($105,000) late entry fee to get him into the most suitable race, the Haughton Memorial on July 9.

And he would have faced 35 days out of work because of quarantine restrictions on his way back to New Zealand, making it nearly impossible to start in both the Breeders Crown and New Zealand Cup.

While New Zealand harness racing bosses would have loved to see Elsu perform on the world stage, the decision to keep him in Australasia is a massive win for the promoters of local races.

Elsu's next target is the $100,000 City Of Auckland Free-For-All at Alexandra Park on May 6, with the possibility of a lead-up race on the same track on April 29.

The May 6 race, one in which Elsu was surprisingly beaten last season, is the same night as the Rowe Cup, giving Auckland Trotting Club officials the chance to induct Elsu into the Hall of Fame the same night as the last Alexandra Park race for champion trotter Lyell Creek.

Elsu will start his 6-year-old season in races like the Spring Cup or North Shore City Stakes before the New Zealand Cup.

That is the race Small dearly wants to win and Elsu's clash with his Addington nemesis Just An Excuse as that great pacer chases his third New Zealand Cup would be one of the biggest events of the harness racing decade.

"After that we could look at races like the Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup and a third Auckland Cup, which would be some achievement," said Small. "And then you still have races like the Hunter Cup, depending on his handicap, and even defending his Interdominion title in Tasmania next year.

"That series will be held on their new track and all things going well we could be there."

That would still leave Elsu with the option of travelling to North America next season, when the racing programme would suit him better and he could be paid up earlier for the major races.

"There is a lot to think about at the moment and so much depends on his form next season and how he stands up to the racing.

"But he has come through the series amazingly well and we will concentrate on the May 6 race before having a good think about next season.

"It was a great honour to be invited to the States and to have a horse good enough to make the trip but it just hasn't worked out perfectly."

And how will Elsu's fans feel about the decision?

Some would have loved to see him get the chance to be world champion. But for most, the chance to see the brilliant black live is more inviting.

Like the fan who penned Small a four-page letter of appreciation.

"At the end it had four words: Please Keep Him Here," said Small.

That fan, and many others, have got their wish.