Racing: Beach boy Delft ready to step up and stake his claim

Michelle Wallis

Michelle Wallis is confident the real Delft will turn up for the start of the Interdominions at Ballarat today.

And that would be good enough to start the series with a win.

Delft has become the greatest enigma in harness racing - freakish at best but horrendously expensive for punters at worst.

These days he loses a lot more than he wins but, as in his last start at Cambridge, it often isn't his fault. He just finds that sometimes a giant body doesn't bend too well around not-so-giant tracks.

But nobody knows the mammoth trotter better than Wallis and she has a good feeling about tonight's first Interdominion heat.

While Delft has struggled with the incredible heat, like all the other Kiwis in Victoria this week, he has still had the luxury of a beach to train on.

"That has been a huge help," said Wallis. "The beach isn't as good as our one at home but it has meant I can keep him sound and I think he is ready for Saturday night."

If Wallis is right, Delft should win his heat because only fellow northern trotter Pompallier looks in his class and he is far more likely to be driven conservatively after a recent freshen up.

And Delft has the added pressure of needing to get big points this week as the Ballarat track looks far more likely to suit him than the tighter Moonee Valley track where the series moves next week.

Another Kiwi, Glenbogle, looks next best of our chances in a race where Calder Sensation is a trifecta must and class mares Jasmyns Gift and Sumthingaboutmaori are the question mark horses after poor recent form.

The second trotters' heat will be by far the stronger, with series favourites Genius and A Touch Of Flair clashing.

A Touch Of Flair is a genuine superstar but faces a very tricky assignment from inside the 10m mark so if Genius is able to work to the lead then the race is his to win.

His greatest threat in that regard could be another New Zealand trotter, Prince Sundon, a freegoer who would also love to lead.

"I think they couldn't beat us if we led but we still don't have to to win," said Anthony Butt, who will drive Genius. "But it is a good field."

The heat also contains the next best Australian hope, Sammy Do Good, who races well at Ballarat as well as Cambridge trotter Romper Stomper, defending champion Play On and the improving Whatsundermykilt.

* Tonight's meeting also plays hosts to the three heats of the Victoria Derby and while New Zealand can win all three at least one looks guaranteed.

Pay Me Christian should bounce back from his luckless Great Northern Derby exercise by leading and winning the first heat, with Kumeu pacer Christian Spirit a place chance.

Monkey King is very much the favourite for the second but faces two class acts, I Am Sam and Dereks Pick, who is rated a budding champion in Sydney.

The final heat, which the New Zealand TAB is not betting on, sees Tuherbs return to racing against Breeders Crown winner Divisive and highly rated Queensland pacer Tip Your Hat.

But if Tuherbs races up to his best and is not unlucky he should win.