Racing: Howard Bromac to take lead in must-win battle

New Zealand hopeful Slipnslide is the leading points scorer in the Interdominion series so far.

Kirk Larsen knows Plan A better work for Howard Bromac tomorrow.

Because Plan B is going home.

New Zealand's best male pacer faces a must-win situation in his final heat of the Interdominions otherwise he will miss a spot in next Sunday's $A1.5 million ($1.7 million) final.

After a luckless and somewhat lacklustre run on the first night Howard Bromac sprung back to his best form with a tenacious fourth in his heat at Launceston on Wednesday.

That indicated he is still the best New Zealand chance of winning the final - if he can make the field.

To do that he almost certainly has to win tomorrow's first heat of the night at Elwick Raceway and to win he almost certainly has to lead.

Not only is the track a front runners one but there is no passing lane so if Howard Bromac is crossed from barrier one at the start he has almost no chance of getting a clear run.

Larsen knows that and is prepared.

"It is lead at all costs for us," he admits.

"The way he is going if he can hold the lead I think he can win and if he does that we should make the final.

"But on this track if we don't lead it is probably all over.

"So I will be giving it everything at the start."

That means Howard Bromac will race with the winkers which Larsen has added to sharpen him up and his trainer-driver is happy to drive him off the gate with the whip.

If he can hold the front he should then be able to control the race and he becomes the horse to beat.

If he doesn't then no only will he struggle to get a clear run but one of his biggest dangers, Sting Lika Bee, drawn on his back will also be locked away on the markers.

That would make the race almost a benefit for Blacks A Fake, who with Howard Bromac out of the race could either work to the lead or control the race outside the leader.

Blacks A Fake was unlucky at Launceston on Wednesday and still looks one of the best horses in the series but because he is well up on the points table he may not have to hustle as much as Howard Bromac.

And therein could lie the race.

That could be the story of the other two heats tomorrow as well in which both favourite Slipnslide and Be Good Johnny are virtually guaranteed spots in the final.

That raises the question of whether their drivers, the father and son team of Luke and John McCarthy respectively, want to give them hard runs a week out from the richest harness race ever held in Australia.

Slipnslide is clearly the best horse in the second heat after two awesome wins in the series but the last thing he needs tomorrow is a hard run to undo his confidence.

So it wouldn't surprise to see Luke McCarthy not get too heavily involved in the early speed duels and let New South Wales pacer Karloo Mick or one of the others lead.

From there he can move when he wants and he should probably still win but as favourite he is going to be too short to back.

Karloo Mick has been the revelation of this series and if he found the front, which is very possible after the gate speed he showed on Wednesday, he will take some catching.

His trainer-driver Barry Lew eased one fear for his supporters yesterday when he confirmed Karloo Mick had come through Wednesday's gutbuster well and would strip just as fit for tomorrow's heat.

That heat also contains Kiwi pacers Bobs Blue Boy, Napoleon and Foreal, with Bobs Blue Boy the most desperate for points.

He has gone two big trips in this series with no luck and will be suited by the extra distance so could be the bolter while Napoleon only needs a top four finish to make the final so may be driven more conservatively, especially with his stamina limitations.

Foreal is drawn to get a good run through and is another with trifecta chances.

The last heat sees Alta Serena in a similar boat to Howard Bromac and Bobs Blue Boy, needing a win or at least second to make the Interdominions' final field.

She was desperately unlucky on Wednesday buts gets the perfect draw tomorrow and will be driven forward by Brent Mangos.

That coupled with the desperation factor makes her the horse to beat over Flashing Red in a heat where Be Good Johnny is the best pacer but could be looking for a quiet run.

The Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup winner has a tough outing on Wednesday and John McCarthy may be happy to get as many points as possible with the horse without hurting him.

He is still obviously there to win but expect more conservative driving tactics this time.

Winforu, London Legend and Articulator round out the New Zealand assault in that heat and by then their connections should know exactly what they need to do to qualify for the final.

All could win with the right run and expect big improvement from Articulator in particular.