Racing: Better Cover Lover leads comeback of the Kiwis

Bettor Cover Lover should win tonight. Photo / Greg Bowker

Payback starts tonight.

After New Zealand's best pacers - or what was left of them - got their butts kicked in the Interdominion Final last Friday, national pacing pride is, understandably, a little low.

However, revenge should be short and sweet at Melton tonight.

The Brent Mangos-trained Bettor Cover Lover will be a dominant favourite for the A$100,000 Victoria Oaks, while champion trainer Mark Purdon launches what should be a long and highly profitable Victorian assault with unbeaten 2-year-old Fly Like An Eagle.

Purdon has already had a huge boost to his A$305,000 Australian Pacing Gold campaign with the best local 2-year-old, Restreppo, injured and out for the season.

That makes Fly Like An Eagle not only a red hot favourite for his heat tonight but for the final next month.

Bettor Cover Lover has also had a big lift by drawing barrier three in tonight's Oaks, while the leading Australian chance, Aussie Made Lombo, has drawn the worst possible barrier at one on the second line.

With longshots drawn inside her, punters can expect Bettor Cover Lover to head straight for the front and if she races up to her best she should win.

The Kiwi assault across the Tasman will be further strengthened in Sydney in the next month, where Russley Rascal, Hands Christian and Living The Dream are all in good form heading into major NSW age-group races.

Their trainer Mark Purdon could be excused for having one eye on the television at Melton tonight though as he lines up his stable's best filly, Veste, in the $18,000 Sires' Stakes heat at Alexandra Park.

She was outstanding winning the Caduceus Club Classic last start and although she appears to still have a few tricks, with Tony Herlihy in the sulky tonight she will start a warm favourite.

Herlihy will also have a rare drive behind last season's Victoria Derby winner Courage To Rule in tonight's main handicap pace.

The 4-year-old is edging his way back to his best form and looks well suited by the small field and 2700m tonight, despite starting from the 10m mark.

That should not prove to be too big a problem as there are only four starters off the limit.

Herlihy takes the reins as regular driver Peter Ferguson is committed to partner Sires' Stakes winner Gold Ace at Addington tonight, where he prepares for next week's NZ Derby.

That meeting brings many of the Derby leading lights together as harness racing returns to Addington for the first time since the February 22 earthquake.

WEEKEND WINNERS

* Our Oaks: Bettor Cover Lover (Melton R7, No 3): Bolted in last week and should lead and win.
* Draw buster: Veste (Alex Park, R5, No 7): Looked the best of this crop and main danger is off unruly.
* Breaking maidens: Chelsea Girl (Alex Park, R4, No 1): Gets a good draw in a weaker field than she has been racing. This looks perfect.
* Stick with: Stormy Sirocco (R6, No 7): Burned punters last start but massive run. Tonight easier.
* Speedster: Lanez Luck (AP, R8, No 4): Loves the mobile and short trips.
* Welcome back: To harness racing at Addington. We have missed you.