Racing: Extra weight no barrier to Delft hopes

If most trotters weighed 584kgs it would mean they were pregnant.

In the case of Interdominiuon champion Deft it means he is ready to win at Alexandra Park tonight.

The giant trotter weighs over 50kg more than the average standardbred but when he hopped on the scales on Monday he was exactly where trainer Michelle Wallis wanted him to be.

Delft has not raced since winning the Interdom Final on February 12 but Wallis says he is only 2kg above his perfect racing weight.

"I was thrilled when I saw that," enthused Wallis.

"Because he is so big he weighs a lot more when he isn't fit, but that proved to me what I already thought, that he is ready for this week."

Delft was sore after the rigours of the Interdominions but his usual beach training regime coupled with a new swimming programme has not only seen him return to full soundness but nearly full fitness.

He indicated that with a storming win at the Pukekohe workouts last week when he trotted his last 800m in 58.5 seconds, handling the tight final bend beautifully.

"Maybe he will be a bit fitter for the Rowe Cup next week but I still think he can win this week."

Delft's summer form has established him as the best trotter in Australasia but has also earned him a 20m handicap tonight, a mark that will be tough to overcome in the capacity field.

His supporters can take comfort in the fact that he developed very sound barrier manners during the Interdominions, being able to lead all three of his races even after starting from a 10m handicap.

Because he has only been beaten once in front, that would be an ideal scenario again tonight but in a field of this quality driver Tony Herlihy may struggle to secure the pacemaking role, especially if he is reluctant to give Delft a gutbusting run in his first start for two and a half months.

Either way he is the horse to beat, although at $3 on the fixed odds he doesn't represent great value.

Victorian visitor A Touch Of Flair makes his New Zealand debut tonight and dispelled fears over how he would handle the track with a winning workout over race rival Pompallier on Monday.

He has high speed but would rarely have raced against fields as strong as he does tonight.

So he may prove to be a better bet off the front in the Rowe Cup next Friday.

Pompallier and stablemates Glenbogle and Whatsundermykilt are other hopes, especially with the latter two likely to be toughened up by their long Australian campaigns.

The most interesting newcomer to this grade is Canterbury mare Inspire, who was a maiden in December and will tonight be trying to run the best trotters in Australasia off their feet.

She has picked a tough race to make her Alexandra Park debut but was impressive beating some of these at Addington last start so shouldn't be taken lightly, especially with astute trainer Paul Nairn on her side.