Racing: Aussies declare war

The Aussies are not taking a backward step as they face one of the most intimidating New Zealand assaults ever launched on an Interdominion.

The $1.5 million series starts on the Gold Coast tomorrow night with New Zealand supplying three of the four favourites, headed by wonder pacer Auckland Reactor.

But Australians are, well, Australians. So they have started the war of words even before the series has started.

And that could mean a tough opening night for Changeover and Mr Feelgood in particular.

While Auckland Reactor is expected to record an effortless all-the-way win in the last of tomorrow night's mile heats, Australian trainers says they will be leading at all costs in the first two heats.

Changegover is a warm favourite for the opening heat but trainer Paul Rowse says he will pay the New Zealand Cup winner little respect with Decorated Jasper.

Rowse says Decorated Jasper's excellent sprint record and gate speed encourages him to try for an all-the-way win, even if that means getting in a speed duel with Changeover.

"This really is our chance," said Rowse yesterday.

"You could say we are putting all our eggs into one basket and going for broke on Saturday.

"Sure there is some classy opposition but if he can't lead and go close to winning we are wasting out time."

That could make Decorated Jasper value in the New Zealand TAB's fixed odds, where he opened at $5 and should also make life harder for NZ Cup winner Changeover if driver David Butcher heads for the front.

The second heat is shaping as a blinder which could be very good or very bad for former US pacer Mr Feelgood.

The Hunter Cup-winning Kiwi-trained pacer has barrier seven. Inside him are some of the most aggressive drivers on the Grand Circuit - none more so than Lance Justice, who trains and drives former Cambridge pacer Smoken Up.

Justice has declared a lead-at-all-costs attitude with Smoken Up, who he says has never been better.

"He broke his personal best workout time at my place by four seconds the other day," says Justice with typical Australian artistic licence.

"I have got him back to his best and I will be heading for the front."

With rugged pacers I Am Sam (barrier two) and Iron Hudge (three) drawn inside Smoken Up (four), the speed should be on early.

And if it is red-hot, the leaders may come back to Mr Feelgood, whose best performances in the US were when coming from off the pace.

But if Justice can lead and dictate a solid but not scolding pace, Mr Feelgood could be in trouble.

Auckland Reactor is expected to win his heat, while the third heat has upset potential, especially with Blacks A Fake drawn one on the second line.

As great a horse as he is, Blacks A Fake has never been a superstar sprinter and don't be surprised to see driver Natalie Rasmussen push away from the fence early and try and turn the race into a staying test.

But she still faces being three-wide throughout and that gives winning chances to Washakie and Awesome Armbro.

FIRST ROUND
* The first round of the Gold Coast Interdominions will be held tomorrow night.
* New Zealand has seven pacers in the series, including three of the favourites.
* Auckland Reactor will be red-hot to win his heat.
* But Australian trainers are declaring war on Changeover and Mr Feelgood.