Pacing superstar Changeover lived up to his $2 million price tag with an effortless victory in last night's New Zealand Derby.
The champion young pacer added the Addington classic to the Woodlands Northern Derby he won on March 2, completing a magical night for northern horses at theCanterbury track.
Earlier in the night Pompallier won the $75,000 New Zealand Trotting Championships while Sly Flyin and Winforu quinellaed the main pacing free-for-all.
But as has been the story of his life, Changeover was the main event last night.
His all-the-way win justified a decision by his syndicate of owners to turn down an offer this week which potentially valued the colt at $2 million.
The offer, believed to be from leading stud operation Nevele R, would have meant the syndicate retained control of Changeover for most of his racing career and even included bonuses for major race wins of any Horse of the Year honours.
But it was declined by the ATC Trot 2006 syndicate at a meeting on Wednesday night, with any further offers for Changeover also likely to be turned down in the meantime.
So dominant has he become at a time when harness racing prize money for age group pacers has never been higher, Changeover will only need to hold his form to be harness racing's next millionaire.
If he develops into a genuine open class force he could win close to $2 million on the racetrack while his stud value could even match that.
He is now likely to be set for the New South Wales Derby later this month, in which he would clash with Aussie hero Lombo Pocket Watch.
After that he will contest the Harness Jewels at Ashburton in June.
While the northerners dominated Addington last night Canterbury filly Susie Maguire did the same at Alexandra Park, leading throughout to win the $40,000 PGG Wrightson Graduate.
