Racing: Good manners, please

Pompallier will have a new driver but the same old problem in the Dominion Handicap tonight.

The enigmatic trotter gets his best chance to win a group one race in the $100,000 event after drawing the ace barrier, while the other favourites have drawn wide or on the second line.

And trainer Richard Brosnan has employed the most in-form driver in the country in Colin De Filippi to help Pompallier make the most of that draw.

But even some of the best hands in the business won't be enough to help Pompallier if he gallops early, which has been the Achilles heal of his career.

At his best Pompallier is one of the most talented trotters in the country but he has rarely shown that in the biggest races, often tangling early and losing his chance.

He is more likely to do so when asked to squeeze his lanky frame into a small gap, which could be the situation he finds himself in after 200m tonight.

"That is my biggest worry," admits Brosnan. "He can be funny when he gets into a tight space, particularly if the horses in front of him slow up and he has to be restrained.

"So I am hoping they go hard early and he can find some space.

"It can get a bit tight on that first bend with some good beginners outside you and that is where the race could be won or lost."

Brosnan has no doubts Pompallier is in the right condition to win tonight, after a luckless sixth behind Allegro Agitato last Friday.

He lost an early speed duel in that race and then galloped for a stride on the first bend before being pushed back to near last. He then stormed home to finish just 3.6 lengths from the winner after giving her 10 lengths at the top of the straight.

"I was happy with that but what I was really thrilled with was the way he kept going after the post.

"He didn't just hit the line and then stop, he kept going strong right around the showgrounds bend.

"So I don't have any worries with him handling the 3200m."

Pompallier was unlucky in last year's Dominion Handicap, when he made ground later after being held up in a race won by Lyell Creek.

With that champion having been retired, the open-class ranks lack a genuine superstar, with Pompallier just one of the winning chances tonight whose manners will be the biggest concern.

"We are in the same boat as a lot of others - we are good enough to win but will have to do things right."

That applies to stablemates Jasmyn's Gift and Allegro Agitato, who like Pompallier are by leading stallion Sundon.

"Those two mares are the ones to beat. After all, Allegro Agitato has to go away from a standing start at some stage."

Brosnan and De Filippi will be hoping that isn't tonight.