KEY POINTS:
The toughest age group in New Zealand pacing just got a lot tougher.
Aussie superstar Divisive is heading to Auckland for a three-race campaign at Alexandra Park.
The New South Wales pacer confirmed his trip with a stunning victory at Harold Park in Sydney last Friday, thrashing older
horses after sitting parked in the Easter Cup.
That convinced trainer-driver Peter Rixon to set him for the Taylor Mile-Messenger Pace double, a series of races which are already shaping as the highlight of the domestic harness racing season.
This season's 4-year-old crop is already exceptional, with Pay Me Christian having set an Australasian mile record while arch-rivals Monkey King and Awesome Armbro have developed into open class forces.
Add to that Classic Line, Marvin Royce, Tuherbs, Report For Duty, Power Of Tara and even last Friday's Alexandra Park winner Ambro The Thug, and the 2007 vintage boasts incredible depth. And it will need to as Divisive has already shown he can beat them, having defeated both Pay Me Christian and Monkey King during his string of four Derby wins last season.
Divisive has been taken along quietly this season and with Australia's richest 4-year-old race, the Chariots Of Fire, being put back to August, the Alexandra Park races are a natural target for him.
Rixon will fly Divisive to Auckland on April 16 and give him a sighter on the right-handed track in a six-win and faster mobile pace on April 20.
He will then contest the Mile a week later before the Messenger.
Victory or even a second placing in either of the group one races could be enough to convince Rixon to send Divisive to Ashburton for the $200,000 Harness Jewels on June 2, for which he will need around $25,000 in New Zealand stakes to qualify for the final.
"I am not sure about the Jewels, a lot will depend on what happens in Auckland," said Rixon.
"But I am really looking forward to getting over there. He was very good at Harold Park and is right back to his best."
Rixon knows the Kiwi 4-year-olds have improved since last season but also believes Divisive is stronger.
The money at Auckland is very good and it fits in well.
And travelling to the City of Sails is a lot easier than heading to Christchurch for a race.
Divisive is a clean-going pacer who should have few problems with the right-handed Alexandra Park track but Rixon is pleased to have the opportunity to race there a week before the Taylor Mile.
"I saw how Lombo Pocket Watch handled the track better the second start after being beaten in his heat of the Derby so I think it is a good thing to have a lead-up race."
While Divisive will need to shine at Alexandra Park to qualify for the Jewels he was the big mover in the market after last Friday night's win, coming in from $11 to $7.