Racing: Australian trip on cards

Rowe Cup entry Annicka (No 5) notches her first New Zealand victory. Photo / Natalie Slade

Auckland Reactor is jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

The one-time wonder pacer has recovered from a life-threatening illness three weeks ago, which ruled him out of the Interdominion series.

That series was dominated by the Australian stars, who trifectaed the pacing final at Alexandra Park last Friday night, confirming they are the powerhouse of Grand Circuit pacing this season.

But Auckland Reactor's trainer Mark Purdon says he has little choice but to set the speed freak on a collision course with the Aussies later this year.

Auckland Reactor is now spelling for at least a month and will then start working toward his new campaign.

Because he has turned into a nutcase from a standing start and almost all New Zealand open-class races before November's New Zealand Cup are from a stand, Purdon says Australia is the target. "Really, that is where his future lies.

"The Grand Circuit is almost all mobile racing and we need to aim at that."

Most importantly would be a Miracle Mile tilt in late November, a race in which a winning performance in 1:50 or faster could resurrect Auckland Reactor's stallion career.

While taking on the hardmen of Australian pacing sounds hardly ideal for a horse with Auckland Reactor's mental frailties, their open-class ranks may not be so scary next season. Blacks A Fake and Mr Feelgood are surely coming to the end of their careers, while Interdom hero Smoken Up will be a 9-year-old.

But one thing looks certain, outside of returning for next season's Auckland Cup, Auckland Reactor doesn't look likely to be seen often at home again.

Purdon's other pacing star, Sleepy Tripp, is also facing a spell after being scratched from the Interdominion pacing final just last Monday morning.

"He has some kind of soreness in his hind quarters but we really can't determine what.

"So he will have a break, too, but I he has shown us enough this term to suggest he can win a big cup next season."

Meanwhile, the stable's Interdominion trotting champion I Can Doosit will remain in the north and be set for the Rowe Cup on May 6.

Among his rivals there could be defending champion Sundon's Gift, who was withdrawn halfway through the Interdominions with what is thought to be a tying up problem.

"He seems a lot better and you wouldn't know he has had an issue," said trainer Chris Lang.

"So we will trial him here and if he seems all right then Rowe Cup could be a goer."

Also returning to Alexandra Park for that race will be Swedish mare Annicka, who recorded an historic win in the trotting consolation on Friday night. She has headed south for the NZ Trotting Champs but will be back in Auckland for the carnival before returning to Sweden.