Racing: Kiwi trotters face uphill battle in Mile

New Zealand's long rein at the head of Australasian trotting could come to an end tomorrow.

With the retirement this year of millionaire champions Lyell Creek and Take A Moment, New Zealand's open class trotting ranks have rarely looked so impotent.

So the three Kiwi trotters who take on Australia's best at Moonee Valley tomorrow night have a lot to live up to.

Southern stablemates Allegro Agitato and Jasmyn's Gift will be joined by Glenbogle in the A$50,000 Bill Collins Mile, a race named in honour of the late great Australian race commentator.

While all three are being kept safe by bookies that may be because of the record of New Zealand's best trotters in Australian features in the last decade more so than their actual chances tomorrow night.

Allegro Agitato looks the best of the trip but faces a tricky second line draw, Jasmyn's Gift is a good staying mare with no sprinting record to speak of and a horror draw while Glenbogle has been racing 10 lengths below his best.

So they will all need luck to down the Australian contingent headed by Sammy Do Good and Sumthingaboutmaori on their home track.

"It is not going to be easy, not from our draws and the top Australian horses are pretty good," said Allegero Agitato's trainer Phil Williamson, who has emerged from obscurity five years ago to be New Zealand's leading trainer of trotters.

Tomorrow's race is not only important because of its group one status but it could affect how rival Kiwi trainers view heading to Melbourne for the Interdominion trotting series which begins on January 28.

At this stage up to 10 New Zealand trotters could make that trip but if Allegro Agitato and Jasmyn's Gift can't defeat the Australians in the next week then those numbers could drop away.

Making tomorrow night's task even harder for the New Zealand trip is a likely return to top form for Sammy Do Good.

The outstanding trotter sat parked to win this race last season, with Allegro Agitato third, and his trainer Peter Manning believes the gelding is back to that form again.

"He galloped twice last start start but that was because he was having back problems,"said Manning.

"But I have had the specialist in to work on him and he is confident he has solved the problem.

"It felt like it when we worked him this week because he was very strong and I think people will see a big improvement in him."

Sammy Do Good was the $3.25 favourite in Australia last night.

* The funeral of popular Canterbury horseman Murray Butt, who died suddenly on Tuesday, will be held at noon tomorrow.