Racing: Aussie raiders hard to beat

Dwayne Dunn will have plenty of options on First Command despite a tough barrier draw. Photo / Herald Sun

The equation for tomorrow's $1 million Berkett Telegraph Handicap at Trentham does not need to come down solely to New Zealand sprinters versus Australia's.

There's a better equation.

Swift Alliance and First Command are between half a length and one length off the best in Australia, with the exception of world champion Black Caviar, whom nothing can get even close to.

The best in Australia can beat the world.

None of those facing the Melbourne and Sydney pair at 5.46pm tomorrow can even approach that sort of boast.

It should simply come down to a case of Swift Alliance and First Command - luck being even - proving too good.

Both are coming off stylish winning performances and both trainers, Gai Waterhouse and Lee Freedman, are happy with their horses and know how to travel them.

"He prepared very well before he left Sydney," said Waterhouse yesterday of Swift Alliance.

"He'd done all his work before he left. I was extremely happy with his condition and he's done a treat since being in New Zealand."

The mid-field barrier draw provides talented Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller with plenty of opportunities to search for the right sort of position and the right cover for Swift Alliance.

Interestingly, Rawiller has just the one ride on the Trentham card while Hugh Bowman, who rides the third Australian, Monton, has six.

All Australian form analysts rate Swift Alliance to be back to his very best with his Razor Sharp win in Sydney at his last start.

He's a proven weight carrier and Waterhouse said yesterday she would not mind at all if there was a bit of yield in the Trentham surface.

After Tuesday night's rain pushed Trentham from a 3 out to a slow 7, it recovered back to a dead 5 yesterday morning and would be better than that now.

The possibility of drizzle is forecast for later today and perhaps tomorrow, making it a little uncertain exactly how the track will be, but it will suit all three Australians.

First Command likes it dead. What he might not appreciate as much is his outside No 18 barrier draw, but it is not likely to be a disaster either.

He has ample tactical speed and Dwayne Dunn, like Rawiller, will have plenty of options in the first 350m.

First Command is a jump-and-run horse and Dunn may well use that to get him over and outside the leaders before the crossing. He ran a 1.8.38 1200m when winning fresh at Caulfield two weeks ago and sat parked outside the leader to do it.

Swift Alliance and First Command top the handicap with 59.5kg and 58.5kg, but both are proven weight carriers and if they are beaten it is unlikely to be because of their weight.

The one who won't be suited if the track is anything but firm is local mare Katie Lee.

Co-trainer Debbie Rogerson has been delighted with the mare for quite a while, but has been hanging out for a decent surface.

Corey Brown has been flown over to ride Katie Lee, but the whole operation would fall over if the track cuts out.

$1M TELEGRAPH

* Australian sprinters are the world's best.

* Swift Alliance and First Command are not far off the best across the Tasman with the sole exception of Black Caviar.

* The Aussie pair will be tough opponents for the New Zealanders at Trentham tomorrow.