Racing: Kiwi army begins charge

Pay Me Christian could start as short as $1.30. Picture / Simon Baker

New Zealand's harness racing elite are set to draw first blood against their transtasman rivals after being blessed by a string of good barrier draws at Ballarat on Saturday.

The Victorian meeting not only hosts the A$125,000 Ballarat Cup but two heats of the trotting Interdominions and three heats of the Victoria Derby and in most of them Lady Luck has smiled on the Kiwis.

Auckland Cup winner Howard Bromac is listed as equal favourite for the cup after drawing perfectly at barrier four in the 2710m event.

He shares that $4.50 favouritism with Slipnslide even though the Queensland pacer will have to start from the outside of the front line, while third favourite Sting Lika Bee has drawn the outside of the second line.

The draw gives Howard Bromac's trainer-driver Kirk Larsen the option of going forward early, especially as there is little real gate speed inside him and should ensure the dual group one winner stays handy throughout.

From there, with his superior staying record to Slipnslide, he could cap a great night for New Zealand's 18-strong representation at the meeting.

The unlucky horse of the open class season, Canterbury pacer Bobs Blue Boy, has again drawn the second line while Mister D G will start from barrier five.

The night looks certain to start with a NZ victory after Sires' Stakes winner Pay Me Christian drew two in the first heat of the Victoria Derby.

The glamour colt could start as short as $1.30 in a race where he looks certain to lead and be too good. West Auckland pacer Christian Spirit is a surprise entry for the race and will follow Pay Me Christian out from two on the second line.

Pacers have to finish in the first four to be guaranteed a place in the A$125,000 Derby at Moonee Valley on Saturday week.

Monkey King, who beat both Pay Me Christian and Christian Spirit in the Great Northern Derby last month, will dominate betting on the second heat in which he has drawn four.

The New Zealand-trained three-year-old facing the biggest task is Tuherbs, who has drawn the second line in the toughest heat.

While most of our pacers have ideal draws to start their Australian campaigns, the North Island's two best trotters have drawn by far the easiest heat of the Interdominions.

Pompallier and Delft will start off 10m handicaps in the first heat, up against fellow Kiwi reps Glenbogle and Jasmyn's Gift.

They meet the B-grade Australian chances, with only the honest Calder Sensation and erratic Sumthingaboutmaori looking dangers.

Pompallier will be driven by trainer Richard Brosnan but Colin De Filippi, who partnered him to win the Dominion Handicap in November, could be reunited with him next week or for the final on February 12.

The second heat will bring together the series favourites A Touch Of Flair, Genius and Sammy Do Good as well as other New Zealand hopes Whatsundermykilt, Prince Sundon, Romper Stomper and Play On.

Genius could even start favourite after drawing barrier four but Cambridge trotter Romper Stomper has drawn the second line in the biggest test of his short open-class career.