KEY POINTS:
Star pacer Changeover is handling his newest challenge like an old pro.
The exceptional talent will make his Australian debut in a semifinal of the Australasian Breeders Crown at Ballarat in Victoria on Tuesday and trainer Geoff Small is thrilled with how he has settled into life across
the Tasman.
"He really is remarkable, you wouldn't know he was away from home," said Small.
The South Auckland trainer flew to Victoria yesterday to drive Changeover in fast work with open class pacer Reba Rajah and was more than pleased with his performance.
"He has definitely come on since he won his heat at Cambridge [July 26]," said Small.
"He will be pretty right for Tuesday night."
Changeover has drawn barrier six in his A$20,000 semifinal and will not clash with Aussie hero Lombo Pocket Watch, who is in the other semi.
"That is probably good for the series because I am sure a lot people would like to see them go into the final in winning form," said Small.
Changeover will however meet unbeaten youngster Boris Badenov, who has a huge reputation but in far weaker fields.
"If he [Changeover] is as good as we and a lot of other people think he is he should overcome that draw," said Small.
Lombo Pocket Watch has drawn six in the other semifinal.
New Zealand's two superstar fillies, One Dream and Lizzie Maguire have both drawn the ace in their semifinals.
One Dream will start a red hot favourite in the first 3-year-old fillies semi final, while Lizzie Maguire will be short in the second semi for 2-year-old fillies.
Not so lucky in the draws though were the three other Kiwis on show on Tuesday.
Belletti (six) and Shez Spicey (nine) face big tasks in a very strong 3-year-old fillies' semifinal against Fleur De Lil and Miss Hazel while Justa Tiger has drawn the outside of the second line in the strongest 2-year-old male pacing semi.
That could mean all three need luck to finish in the top six, which they need to do to qualify for the rich Finals tomorrow week.
The NZ TAB will take fixed odds betting on all the semis, which will screen live on Trackside from 8.35pm.
$1 million stake for interdominions
The Interdominions are now a $1 million event.
The Pacing Final for this season's series in Melbourne has been boosted to A$1 million ($1.1 million), making it the second equal richest pacing race ever held in this part of the world.
And the stake boost, from the intended A$750,000, will last for the next three seasons, taking in the series to follow in Brisbane and Sydney.
"This is an important mark for us to reach and we hope it can stay at this level for a long time," said Harness Racing Victoria boss Neil Busse.
The trotting final will be run for A$250,000, sure to create plenty of interest from New Zealand trainers as they have dominated the trotting final for three decades.