Racing: Anchor Elsu, then it gets tricky

Geoff Small last night uttered the words punters chasing tonight's $1million Pick6 wanted to hear.

"We have to take advantage of his draw and try to dominate the race," said Small.

Which means no second guessing with Small's champion pacer Elsu at Alexandra Park tonight - he will be staying in front.

That makes him your Pick6 anchor, the only problem is selecting the other five legs.

It helps that three of those legs are also Interdominion heats so the racing patterns and strengths of the key contenders are already known.

Outside of the Interdom heats the best Pick6 anchor hopes are Badlands Bute, who impressed at the workouts last Saturday and Hippity Hop, who is massively down in class after starting in the best three-year-old races.

So here is what you can expect (maybe) from the Interdom heats and Pick6 legs tonight:

First Pacing Heat, Race Four

Could be a cracker to start the series, with plenty of gate speed on the front line.

But it should still come down to Flashing Red (4) and Just An Excuse (12).

Flashing Red is the most improved pacer in Australasia and was amazing winning the Ballarat Cup on January 29. Then chased home Elsu in the Hunter Cup.

He has settled in well and is likely to press for the lead, from where he would be very hard to beat.

If any horse can run him down it is Just An Excuse. The dual New Zealand Cup winner comes in fresh but has a great record in that state. He is also unbeaten in mobile racing in New Zealand and over 2200m.

If they go hard he can swoop but may lack a good cart into the race so his best chance is if they slow up in the middle stages and he can get handy. Hard to beat either way.

Sand Pebbles (3) has blazing gate speed and could end up trailing Flashing Red so has to be at least a place chance because this track suits horses running handy.

Plenty of other place hopes, with a lot depending on tactics, but in order they should be: Blue Chip Rock (11), Maheer Lord (1), Ohoka Ace (6), Harnetts Creek (9) and Alta Serena (7).

Top three: Flashing Red, Just An Excuse, Sand Pebbles.

First trotting heat, Race Five, first leg
Pick6:

So much here depends on the start. If Lyell Creek (1) can hold the lead, which is questionable, he is clearly the one to beat.

The old champ probably lacks the zip to overcome a tricky run back on the markers so the first 400m is crucial. He is a must for Pick6 anyway because he is, after all, Lyell Creek.

Glamour mares Sumthingaboutmaori (6) and Allegro Agitato (8) may provide better value.

Sumthingaboutmaori showed a new string to her bow when she sat parked to beat the pacers last start but there are huge question marks over her first start right-handed and she has been a poor traveller in the past. At her best she can win.

Allegro Agitato remains a touch under-rated but is as good as any trotter in the series at the moment. The draw won't help her but she is trotting well right-handed at present and loves mobile racing.

I'd be backing her each way.

Pompallier (11) and Glenbogle (13) are speedsters not well suited by the second line while the freak show will come from Gold N Gold (10) who is either brilliant or terrible. In New Zealand he is usually terrible.

Trifecta hopes to Marie Wishes (9) and Gold (4).

Top three: Lyell Creek, Allegro Agitato, Sumthingaboutmaori.

Race six, second leg Pick6

Looks an ideal race for Badlands Bute (2).

The Great Northern Derby winner has great gate speed and had no luck when parked in both races during his recent Australian campaign but looked ready for this at the Alex Park workouts last Saturday.

Should lead and very hard to catch over 1700m.

Village Jate (1) gets his chance to trail the leader and is down in class while Onedin Legacy (13) was outstanding last time he was here but is not well suited by these conditions. Can still win but he will need to be something special.

Seelster Mike (10) has always been big on ability during an injury-plagued career and needed his fresh-up run behind Linford Christie last Friday. Follows out favourite so could get run through.

Chris Riley (4) is not racing as well now as when he beat Born Again Christian and Likmesiah in October but not shortage of ability and Alex Park should suit.

Top three: Badlands Bute, Village Jate, Onedin Legacy.

Second pacing heat, Race Seven, third leg Pick6

Crucial race for Sokyola (5).

The dual Miracle Mile winner is the best horse in the field but is also old and getting over a virus.

Has been freshened since two failures and his blazing gate speed should enable him to lead and dominate the race. At his best would win, but you may need a few others in Pick6 just in case because he usually improves with racing.

Winforu (2) is one of those you should take. He also has high gate speed so looks certain to lead then trail the favourite. Racing right up to his best and loves this track.

Te Kanarama (3) is the enigma of the race, in fact, the entire series.

Has all-round brilliance but doesn't mind a mid-race gallop and didn't handle the track at the workouts here last Saturday, although he was better in training on Wednesday morning.

Could come out and win so a must for Pick6 but could just as easily gallop and finish last.

Camlach (10) is a high speed pacer coming in fresh but did win the Treuer in December so has each way claims if the pace is on and he looks better suited than Mister D G, who has a terrible draw.

Mister D G is improving with the aid of recent beach work but is still going to need a lot to go his way.

Smooth Satin (11) the 2002 champion is racing well but not as good as the old days while Attorney General (6), Bobs Blue Boy (7) and Bella's Boy (8) all have bad draws which should be enough to keep them out of the winner's circle.

Top three: Sokyola, Winforu, Te Kanarama.

Second trots heat, Race Eight, fourth leg Pick6

Clash between the old champ Take A Moment (7) and the young gun Delft (6) with the best Aussie, Sammy Do Good (10), thrown in.

But because of the question marks over Take A Moment and Sammy Do Good, Delft has to be the one to beat.

The giant trotter has been amazing this campaign and just keeps getting better.

Has drawn a touch wide and can get stirred up so could provide some real fireworks.

Take A Moment is a millionaire and a champion but hasn't been to the races for 14 months. Has looked fit but short of race hardness in three recent workouts and because of that may be driven conservatively tonight, making him vulnerable.

Can win but more likely to be fighting on and getting ready for the final.

Sammy Do Good is as good as the Kiwis, which is rare for an Australian trotter, but he trotted terribly during the Moonee Valley carnival.

That was put down to back problems and if over those he can win. Here is a tip though - watch him warm up to see how he handles the right-handed track.

Whatsundermykilt (4) has gate speed and the draw to use it so should be in the finish while Paris Metro (1) choked last time out but gets the perfect draw here to sit and sprint late, which suits her.

Trifecta hopes to Castletons Mission (12), Play On (11), Stirling Kiwi (9) and Lost In The Park (14).

Top three: Delft, Take A Moment, Sammy Do Good.

Third pacing heat, Race Nine, fifth leg of Pick6

Looks the anchor leg of Pick6 because Elsu (1) should be a certainty.

Is in unbelievable form, as demonstrated by his Hunter Cup win when he sat three wide after starting from a 20m handicap.

Has not been asked to leave the mobile gate hard for 14 months but should have enough gate speed to hold the lead, is unlikely to be pressured, so should win. Easily.

Young Rufus (6) has been up and down this season but look for him to go forward and sit outside Elsu, which could be a good position in a race without pressure. Should run a place.

Eagles Together (9) gets the chance to trail the favourite so is a must for trifectas on his favourite track over his beloved 2200m. Sly Flyin (5) is getting back to his best so is another place chance while Scorching (11) and Howard Bromac (2) will be close up.

Top three: Elsu, Eagles Together, Young Rufus.

Race 10, last leg Pick6

Speedy three-year-old Hippity Hop (10) is the "must have" horse but if you have got the money go wide because the 1700m makes things tricky.

Hippity Hop stormed home in a 1:56.7 mile rate for 1700m last start and before that has chased home outstanding pacer Baileys Dream twice. Should get a good run through so clear top pick.

After that there are many chances, depending on who wins the battle for the front.

If that leader is Sherakin Star (1) she can prevail even though she is racing below her best, but a better bet may be Sheridan (9), who needed her fresh-up run last start. A class mare who has won here before.

Backseat Dreamer (12) has won his last two well but this is a huge jump up while Matter Of Pride (14) impressed in his only start but that was back in September and he has copped a bad draw.

Best outsiders are Esprit Flash (8) and Skellig (5).

Top three: Hippity Hop, Sheridan, Backseat Dreamer.