Racing: Nairn team on Interdom trail

For champion trotting trainer Paul Nairn the Interdominions start tomorrow.

Nairn will unleash all three of his Interdominion-bound team at Addington and knows that with the super series only seven weeks away they need to resume on the right note.

Nairn, rated by many as our best trainer of trotters after 15 years with an exceptional strike rate, has Dr Hook and Idid It Myway in the $25,000 mobile trot and Musgrove starting off a 30 handicap in race nine.

He knows the importance of his trio starting out as they mean to continue. "The Interdoms will be here before we know it and the trotters' series looks very, very even. "There are a lot of good horses there so you want to be going into the series with form so you get a start, and some respect.

"So even though this is only the first race back for all three of them they have done plenty of work."

Nairn is reluctant to choose between Dr Hook and Idid It Myway in the rare 1950m feature trot but says the draws suggest Dr Hook will be the better chance.

"He has been good off the mobile in the past and there is even a chance he could get the lead," said Nairn.

"If he did that he would be hard to run down because he has done plenty of work and he is very good in front."

Dr Hook has had two mobile sprint races before, running second both times in 1:56.7 miles behind I Can Doosit in the Jewels and Ima Gold Digger in the Ashburton Flying Mile.

That suggests he is the one to beat.

Nairn says Idid It Myway has been working at least as well though and has the speed to be a real threat not only tomorrow but in the Interdominions. "He has been a bit unlucky this season but he is fast as any of the top trotters and can win with the right run."

TAB bookies opened Master Bomber the favourite on the back of his strong mile win on the grass at Methven two starts ago, while he also trialled well at Ashburton last week.

The interesting runner is Speculate, who has won a group one mobile on this track but has looked fat in her two starts back this campaign.

She had drawn one on the second line and the 1950m is not ideal but if she can get handy she has the class.

Later on the day, Nairn says Musgrove can upset in race nine.

"We all know he can gallop and it is hard to win in a big field from 30m but if he steps well he is good enough to get away with it."

MICHAEL GUERIN'S WEEKEND WINNERS

Addington tomorrow

Best bet
Franco Jamar (R5, No 2): Missed away in stand last time out, this more his go and best drawn of the chances.

Class prevails
Monkey King (R8, No 4): De Lovely is very good, but Monkey King is better. Take the shorts.

Melton tomorrow

Best bet
I Can Doosit (R5, No 4): Won easily last week and will be better this time. Only bad luck or bad manners will beat him.

Forget the draw
The Gold Ace (R6, No 7): Will get handy quickly and look for a sharper colt this week after trainer Steven Reid felt there was some improvement.

Alexandra Park tonight

Best bet
Statesman (R3, No 1): Checked out of race last start but has gate speed to lead and win here.

Take the shorts
Swift Therapy (R4, No 4): Enormous drop in grade and looks a certainty.

Unlucky
Madisonz Luck (R2, No 10): Never got a crack last start but too fast for most in this grade.

Improver
Red Zone (R7, No 11): Run short last Friday. His 30m handicap is actually only 20m and he is a fast beginner.