Racing: Disastrous start to Oz campaign

Auckland Reactor is pleasing Mark Purdon with his working. Photo / BRett Phibbs

Mark Purdon can look forward to the rest of his Victorian summer campaign safe in the knowledge that things probably can't get any worse.

Purdon launched the Kiwi assault on the mega-rich month of harness racing with Sammy Maguire in the A$50,000 ($65,000) Bendigo Cup on Saturday night and the race was a disaster.

Sammy Maguire, who was heavily backed into second favouritism, settled last, moved forward only briefly at the 600m then stopped to a walk to finish 300m last.

While Sammy Maguire was obviously not at his best in the race won by Decorated Jasper, Purdon has some serious weapons to launch the next phase of his Victorian campaign.

I Can Doosit, Auckland Reactor and Highview Tommy all flew to Melbourne on Saturday, with I Can Doosit to start the defence of his Interdominion trotting title at Shepparton this Saturday.

That series has been extended to three heats a night by Harness Racing Victoria and I Can Doosit is ready to start the series on a high even though he hasn't raced since winning the National Trot on New Year's Eve.

"He is spot on and is going into the series ready to win," said Purdon.

I Can Doosit will be joined in the series by Sovereignty, Springbank Richard and The Fiery Ginga, but Raydon and Dr Hook are leading New Zealand trotters to pull out.

Auckland Reactor is pleasing Purdon with his work as he prepares for his first race since his stunning win in the Ashburton Flying Stakes in October.

Soon after, he was robbed of his shot at New Zealand Cup glory by a hoof injury and Purdon is reluctant to throw him in at the deep end so he will miss Saturday week's Ballarat Cup.

"He will probably start in a free-for-all at Melton on the night before [January 27] and after that we will decide on the Hunter Cup," said Purdon.

Auckland Reactor will then head to the Interdominions in Perth, where he is likely to be joined by Highview Tommy, who will contest this Saturday's Shepparton Cup before the Ballarat and Hunter Cups.

The Interdominion pacing market was transformed after feature races in three states of Australia at the weekend.

Smoken Up remains the favourite after he bolted away with Saturday night's A$100,000 South Australia Cup in the hands of catch driver Greg Sugars.

He led throughout and was rarely out of second gear to record his fourth straight Grand Circuit win. He heads to the Ballarat Cup next.

The Auckland Cup winner I'm Themightyquinn showed how much he is enjoying being home in Perth with a blistering victory in the A$400,000 West Australia Cup on Saturday morning (NZ time).

He got the perfect drag into the race and wore down leader Dasher VC in a performance that saw him move into clear second favouritism to defend his Interdominion title.

New Zealand pacer Raglan was a brave fourth in the race but the abject failure was Mr Feelgood, who stopped badly after working during the race and drops back to third favourite for the Inter.

Closer to home, Gold Ace confirmed his Ballarat and Hunter Cup campaign with a fighting third off the 20m backmark in the $40,000 Futurity at Cambridge, won by Hands Christian.

"Initially I wasn't sure it was good enough to guarantee the trip.

"But when I saw the winner went 3:21 for the 2700m I realised how good my horse had gone," said trainer Steven Reid.

"He will improve a lot with that run too so the trip is definitely on."

Ideal Scott confirmed his Victoria Derby tilt when he effortlessly won the Waikato Guineas earlier in the night.

ONLY WAY IS UP

* The Kiwi assault on the Victoria summer carnival starts with a disastrous last placing.
* But big guns I Can Doosit, Auckland Reactor, Gold Ace and Sovereignty race there in coming weeks.
* Auckland Reactor could still potentially contest the A$425,000 Hunter Cup.
* Smoken Up and I'm Themightyquinn win the weekend features in Australia.