Racing: Kiwis make strong claims for final

Bondy leads all the way in his heat on Friday night. Photo / Supplied

David Butcher believes Changeover can still win the Interdominion Final even after costing punters a fortune with his opening-round defeat on Friday night.

The Kiwi star was gunned down by outsider Atomic Ark in the opening heat of the pacing series at Harold Park and looked highly disappointing, considering the easy time he had in front.

But driver Butcher says looks can be deceiving.

"He pulled way too hard in front and you can't afford to do that at this level," says the Cambridge reinsman.

"I know it may not look like he is pulling hard but I am one of those drivers who doesn't hang out the back of the cart when they pull, so people can't tell.

"But I had to go for another grip on the reins with a lap to go because he was really into it."

Butcher blames the over-racing on Changeover having had only one easy race in six weeks leading into Friday night and the fact he flew off the starting gate so quickly.

"That is the fastest I have ever asked him to leave the gate so I am actually not that disappointed.

"I still think we can win the final because he will improve during the series and there is not a lot between these horses.

"I think it will come down to the draws."

Butcher was thrilled with his other heat runner-up, Our Awesome Armbro, who chased home Blacks A Fake in the second heat.

And after watching the other two heats he believed Canterbury pacer Monkey King was clearly the hardest to beat in the series.

"He is very well at the moment and has the all-around game," he said.

"Horses like him and Blacks A Fake don't pull, which means you can do things with them in a race but I think Monkey might have too much speed for Blacks A Fake." Bookmakers agree, with Monkey King the $3 favourite to win the A$1 million final at Menangle on March 7.

Fellow Canterbury pacer Bondy has moved into $8 equal third favouritism for the final after his all-the-way heat win on Friday, although his performance was somewhat over-shadowed by the stunning third of Baileys Dream, who sat three wide for much of the race.

The series moves to Newcastle on Saturday night, with at least five New Zealand pacers looking good chances to make the final, and Mr Feelgood is on the cusp and needing a top-three finish.

While the bonus points added to the points table make calculations difficult, with average racing luck the final field could look something like this: Monkey King, Blacks A Fake, Bondy, Washakie, Changeover, Atomic Ark, Smoken Up, Our Awesome Armbro, Baileys Dream and Mr Feelgood.

Victorian pacers Tanabi Bromac and Sammy Maguire look the next best chances of sneaking into the field, so draws for Newcastle on Saturday night will be crucial.

Flying Kiwis:

* Monkey King is now the $3 favourite to win the A$1 million final on Sunday week.

* Up to six New Zealand pacers could make the final.

* The biggest first-night disappointment was Changeover's defeat as hot favourite.