KEY POINTS:
Kiwi driver Anthony Butt has vowed not to take the soft option with Report For Duty when the Interdominions begin at Geelong tonight.
Report For Duty is the only true New Zealand pacer in the series, which is being run under radically changed conditions this season.
With the
winners of the major Grand Circuit races already qualified for semifinals next Saturday, the remaining pacers will compete in four qualifying heats tonight, with the first four home guaranteed a spot in the semifinals.
The first five home in those semi-finals at Moonee Valley, plus the fastest sixth placegetter, advance to the $750,000 final at Moonee Valley in March 1.
Because of those conditions, Butt could be excused for driving Report For Duty conservatively to ensure he simply finishes in the top four and qualifies for next week, rather than trying to win at all costs.
But the aggressive Butt isn't thinking that way.
"I think it is a race he can win so I will drive him that way," he said.
"Not only do you have responsibilities to the punters but also the horse has to get some respect, which could be all important next week."
Report For Duty has drawn wide on the front line in his weakish heat and if he could find the lead he would be clearly the one to beat.
He comes into the race with the best form, including a last-start third in the Hunter Cup, but his chances may depend on former Cambridge pacer Conte De Cristo, who is drawn the ace and loves to run in front.
If he holds out Report For Duty early then not only will the latter struggle to win but it will greatly aid his main dangers, Smooth Crusa and Good Lookin Girl.
But the way the heats are designed many drivers may take a different approach from Butt and simply look to finish in the top four, meaning inferior horses going to "war" with the big names is unlikely.
And that should ensure horses like Be Good Johnny (heat two) and Divisive (heat four) dominate their races.
The only other quasi New Zealand representative in the pacing series is former US pacer Spirit Of A Shark, trained by Michelle Wallis.
He was purchased by a Queensland owner but detoured to New Zealand when equine influenza hit Australia last year. A sub 1:50 miler in the US, Spirit Of A Shark has looked tough but one-paced at recent Auckland workouts and will need luck to progress.
While New Zealand will have its weakest pacing presence in an Interdominion in decades, we still have the red-hot favourite in the trotting series in One Over Kenny. The great mare will warm-up for next Saturday's semifinals as hot favourite in the $30,000 Cochrane Cup tonight.
* All Interdominion heats will have final field NZ fixed-odds betting.
INTERDOMINIONS
* The annual transtasman harness racing series has a new format this season.
* This season's group one winners go straight to the semifinals next Saturday, while the rest compete in qualifying heats at Geelong, Victoria, tonight.
* The first four home in each heat qualify for the semis.
* New Zealand has only one fully-fledged representative in the pacing series, Report For Duty.
* One Over Kenny also has a lead-up to the trotting series at Geelong tonight.