Racing: New Zealand duo dominate NSW Derby

The same pacer who helped Courage To Rule to Derby glory two months ago will be trying to deny him another Derby tonight.

The New Zealand pair of Courage To Rule and Smiling Shard dominate betting on the A$100,000 New South Wales Derby at Menangle, outside Sydney tonight.

After superb heat wins on Monday and securing better draws than the leading Australian hopes, they look ready to extend New Zealand pacing's wonderful record in Australia this season.

But it is Smiling Shard who deserves favouritism, which is only fair as it was his misfortune in February which paced the way for Courage To Rule's greatest victory.

Smiling Shard was the warm pre-post favourite for the Victoria Derby on February 6 until trainer Cran Dalgety had to cancel the trip as the gelding struggled with a minor leg injury.

The absence of the money-making machine was enough for Courage To Rule's co-trainer John Green to decide he was going to tackle the Victoria Derby and the rest is history.

Now Dalgety says he wants the Derby he is owed.

"I was thrilled for John when they won the Derby back in February but I still would have loved to have been there," said Dalgety.

"But I think we have out chance this week and he [Courage To Rule] is the one we have to beat.

"I am not saying the two Aussies [Renaissance Man and For A Reason] can't win but I think we have the draws to beat them."

Smiling Shard looked back to his best when he overcame an early check to bravely win his heat in a fast time on Monday and Dalgety says the robust pacer has come through that in great condition.

"He will back up fine and as long as he gets a comfortable trip somewhere for the first half of the race he will be right in it." The problem for Smiling Shard is he may have to come around Courage To Rule at some stage as his fellow Kiwi looks set to lead from barrier two and use his relentless racing style to try and run his rivals into the ground.

In their New Zealand meetings Courage To Rule hasn't been able to beat Smiling Shard but he won't get a better chance than tonight.

If the pair do get into any sort of a war a long way from home they risk setting the race up for the two leading Aussie hopes.

Both Renaissance Man and For A Reason have explosive speed and would be suited by charging home off a hot pace, so the Kiwis cannot afford to go too hard early.

Dalgety will be hoping for exactly that in one of tonight's other great races at Menangle, the A$100,000 Len Smith Mile. He has Bettor's Strike starting from near the outside of the front line and only a speed battle early would seem to give him any chance of running past Smoken Up and Western Cam.

Smoken Up returned to his best with a 26.2 second last 400m to win last Friday night and has been stunning in all his Menangle runs such as the Miracle Mile and Interdominion Final.

He only has to race up to that form to deserve his $2.50 favouritism.