Racing: NZ set to dominate NSW Derby

Smiling Shard will be hard to beat in the NSW Derby at Menangle. Photo / Richard Robinson

New Zealand pacers are set to dominate betting on Friday's New South Wales Derby after powerful heats wins yesterday.

Smiling Shard and Courage To Rule looked happy to be back in Australia - the scene of their most lucrative triumphs - when winning their preludes to Friday's classic at Menangle.

While the barrier draw will have a big role to play in the market for the race, with any luck Smiling Shard deserves Derby favouritism.

The multiple group one winner produced the star performance of the four heats yesterday when he overcame being forced five wide early by an erratic rival to work hard to lead and still have enough class to hold out talented local Chariot King.

In doing so, Smiling Shard paced a track age group record 1:56.1 mile rate for the 2300m, remarkable considering his early check.

Courage To Rule had a far easier run in the second heat and was never asked for his absolute best by NSW driver Greg Bennett but still won easily, suggesting he has a great chance of adding Friday's Derby to his Victoria Derby win in February.

Importantly, both New Zealanders are the types to thrive on the four-day turnaround between the heats and the final, whereas the most favoured of their Australian rivals are unlikely to be so comfortable with the hectic schedule. "I think it will suit our fella better than most of the others," said Smiling Shard's driver Dexter Dunn.

"He is tough and loves the racing, as he proved last season."

Smiling Shard looked to be in danger when Chariot King swooped up wide at the 300m mark but even after having the perfect trip he was not good enough to run Smiling Shard down.

"He loves a good fight, our horse, and you don't really have to ask him to do it with the whip, he does it himself."

Smiling Shard was the best 2-year-old pacer in Australasia last season, winning the NZ Sires' Stakes, Harness Jewels and Australasian Breeders Crown.

However, he has been largely luckless this season, missing the Victoria and Woodlands Northern Derbys through injury.

Then, he never got clear in the New Zealand Derby and trainer Cran Dalgety has taken a huge risk campaigning him in Sydney this week, aware he may cost him a shot at the Harness Jewels since Smiling Shard will need a break soon.

He will not be the only stable star Dalgety has at Menangle on Friday night, with Bettor's Strike set to continue his season-long rivalry with Smoken Up in the Len Smith Mile.

Bettor's Strike edged Smoken Up out of second in the New Zealand Cup in November then used the passing lane to grab the Victoria Cup off him in December.

Meanwhile, Australia's champion trotter Sundon's Gift confirmed his Rowe Cup campaign with a powerful display at Melton on Friday night.

The great horse sat three wide for much of the night's feature sprint but still outstayed his opponents, which pleased Victorian trainer Chris Lang.

"He trotted well and it was a nice hitout before we come over to Auckland," said Lang.

Sundon's Gift is set to arrive in Auckland on Sunday and will have his first look at Alexandra Park at the workouts next Tuesday before racing in the Rowe Cup lead-up on April 30.

Leading South Island trotter Stylish Monarch has beaten him to Alexandra Park though, with the last-start Trotting Championship winner to make his Auckland debut on Friday night.