Racing: Kiwi trot star gets rough deal

Kiwi trotter Genius has been sent on an emergency mission to save his Interdominion campaign.

The most exciting newcomer to open class trotting this season has been dealt a huge blow in the second rankings for the Interdominions, which start in Victoria next Saturday.

Genius has slipped to 34th, putting him eight spots away from a place in the series. And that has forced his connections to start him at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

"We didn't want to do that because it means he will have to race four Saturdays in a row," said regular driver Anthony Butt.

"But we haven't been left with any choice. I don't think you will see a lot of horses pull out of the series so unless we can run in the money this week we might miss out."

Butt is surprised by the number of out of form Australian trotters ranked higher than Genius, who is the fifth favourite for the series.

"Somebody has got it wrong. Either the people doing the rankings are wrong or the bookies."

Genius will start off the front in a A$20,000 trot on Saturday night, in which reigning Interdominion champion Play On faces a 30m backmark.

Genius was the intermediate grade star of the New Zealand Cup carnival in November, winning on the first two days before galloping in the Dominion Handicap a week later.

His trackwork this campaign has been sensational, prompting the Butt brothers to believe he can win the Interdominions.

"He is right back to his best and Tim couldn't be happier with him," said Anthony.

"He should win this week if he trots all the way and I suppose if he can't do that then he can't win the Interdominions anyway."

The Butt stable had better news at the Pukekohe workouts yesterday when their enigmatic three-year-old Tuherbs emerged as a genuine Victoria Derby chance.

Tuherbs started the season rated one of the best two three-year-old pacers in the country but mental weakness and physical niggles combined to see him go winless through his Sires' Stakes campaign.

He showed no signs of either yesterday as he led throughout to thrash Great Northern Derby winner Monkey King in a 2500m mobile trial, pacing his last 800m in 57.8 seconds.

"At his best he is very good and the break he had after the Sires' Stakes has really helped him," said Butt.

"If he shows his best form in Aussie he can win the Victoria Derby."

While Genius was the big loser in the second rankings for the Interdominions, Cambridge trotter Romper Stomper was the winner.

He jumped from 34th to 24th courtesy of his home track win last Friday and trainer John Dickie has confirmed the gelding will be making the trip.

That means if Genius can make the final 26 by winning or placing on Saturday, New Zealand could have nine in the series, a record for an Australian-based Interdominion.

They are: Play On, Pompallier, Delft, Glenbogle, Jasmyn's Gift, Prince Sundon, Whatsundermykilt, Romper Stomper and Genius.

Three other New Zealand trotters - Martina H, What Ever You Like and Some Direction - have been withdrawn.

Victorian trotter A Touch Of Flair remains the warm favourite for the series after two Moonee Valley wins in the last three weeks.

He has beaten Glenbogle on both occasions and is as short as $3.50 with Australian bookmakers.

Delft is the most favoured of the Kiwis at $8.

* Pacing heroine Mainland Banner was back in winning form at the Addington trials yesterday.

The sensational four-year-old had her first public outing since winning the Cup on November 8 and was never asked for her best to win over 2600m standing start in 3:34, her last 800m in 59 seconds.

Mainland Banner is being aimed at the two feature mares' races at Addington which start next Friday before heading north for the second Auckland Cup of the season in March.