KEY POINTS:
EXCLUSIVE: Champion pacer Auckland Reactor is to be a shock entry for next month's Interdominions on the Gold Coast.
In a move that will terrify rival trainers and send bookies throughout Australasia into a spin, Auckland Reactor's connections will pay the A$22,000 ($27,500) late entry fee to the
series on Monday.
And trainer Mark Purdon says the 4-year-old will be going unless something unexpected happens during the Auckland Cup carnival.
Purdon had originally decided to bypass the series to concentrate on the $600,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup and the rich 4-year-old races at home.
He has now decided Auckland Reactor can do both.
His enthusiasm for the Interdominions has been boosted for several reasons.
Auckland Reactor had a torrid January, racing four times in the month and travelling by road from Auckland to Christchurch but was still blooming at the end of it.
And during that time key Interdom contenders like Changeover and Gotta Go Cullen have struggled to show their best form.
And then a closer look at the conditions of the series convinced Purdon it was achievable.
"The first round of heats are only a mile and then we have a week to the second round over 2100m," said Purdon. "And then it is the final, which with the exchange rate is now worth almost $1.2 million.
"That is a lot of money and the way he is handling racing and travelling I think we can get him there and be ready to show his best."
Purdon announced he would miss the series in January but because Auckland Reactor was never actually entered for the Interdominions, he was never withdrawn.
So he is eligible to gain entry by paying the late entry fee on Monday.
"Obviously things could happen in the next two weeks that could change our plans but at this stage we are definitely going.
"And I want to let people know now because of the long-range betting."
Purdon would have detailed his intentions earlier but the availability of a connecting flight from Auckland to the Gold Coast via Melbourne was only confirmed yesterday.
The shock news means the Gold Coast series now shapes as one of the great transtasman sporting clashes of the year.
The New Zealand team could consist of Auckland Reactor, NZ Cup winner Changeover, Hunter Cup winner Mr Feelgood, Auckland Cup winner Gotta Go Cullen and a support crew including Awesome Armbro, Zenad and Report For Duty.
But they will meet a formidable Australian defence led by Melpark Major, three-time Interdom hero Blacks A Fake, Mister Swinger and I Am Sam.
While bookmakers throughout Australasia will suspend betting on the series this morning, Auckland Reactor is certain to be favourite when markets re-open.
He was expected to win at Addington last night so should arrive in Auckland on Sunday the winner of 19 of his 20 starts and desperately unlucky in the other.
The $3.6 million horse will contest the $60,000 NZ Herald City Of Auckland Free-For-All on Friday night before the Auckland Cup the following Friday.
After the Interdoms, Purdon will bring Auckland Reactor back to Alexandra Park for the Taylor Mile (April 24) and Messenger on May 1.
The great horse will make a rare public workout appearance at Alexandra Park at 7am on Wednesday.
SHOCK MOVE
* Auckland Reactor will be a shock entry for the Interdominions on the Gold Coast next month.
* His connections will pay the hefty late entry fee on Monday.
* That will cause a reshuffle of markets for the series.
* Auckland Reactor races at Alexandra Park on the next two Fridays.
