Racing: NZ stars may clash in Queensland

Terror To Love (left) deadheats with Gold Ace at Addington on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand's two glamour 3-year-olds could be on a collision course on and off the track.

Gold Ace and Carabella left no doubts they are the best of their sex with feature race victories at Addington on Saturday, although Gold Ace had to share his with Terror To Love.

The arch-rivals hit the line locked together in the $40,000 Flying Stakes, almost mirroring their quinella in last month's New Zealand Derby.

But the honours were with Gold Ace, who had the harder run, copped a last-lap check and carted Terror To Love into the race.

His effort suggests he is marginally better than Terror To Love, although the latter is also a superb pacer who has been dogged by bad draws.

Their rivalry continues in the Harness Jewels on June 4 but Gold Ace is already certain to be voted 3-year-old male pacer of the year after winning the Derby, Sires' Stakes Final and Sales Series.

But his trainer Steven Reid says that is not enough.

After the Jewels he wants to head back to Australia to prove how good Gold Ace is there.

"They didn't get to see the best of him in the Victoria Derby so I am keen on the Breeders Crown," said Reid.

"And I might even look at the Queensland Derby, depending on what happens at the Jewels."

That raises the possibility of a clash with champion filly Carabella.

Her win on Saturday was effortless compared with Gold Ace's deadheat as she led throughout in the $140,000 Nevele R Fillies Final, pacing a national record.

She will be a red hot favourite for Friday night's New Zealand Oaks and her division of the Jewels and then she too is heading to Australia.

Her main aims are the Queensland and Australian Oaks but trainer Brendon Hill admits if Aussie superstar Sushi Sushi dodges Queensland he could consider a Derby start.

"I hadn't thought about it much and it would depend on the field but if she is there she might look at it," said Hill.

"She wouldn't need to go much quicker than she is pacing all the time now."

Even if Gold Ace and Carabella don't clash on the track they will at the ballot box, with Carabella now holding the inside running for pacer of the year, and maybe even Horse of the Year.

If she wins the Oaks and the Jewels she could sneak the latter title of I Can Doosit, but if she gets beaten in either or both races and Gold Ace wins the Jewels he will make a late charge for pacer of the year.

A pacer of the year title could help any potential stud career Gold Ace has should he go on and become a leading open class pacer, which looks very much on the cards.

One award the pair are both contributing too is stallion of the year, which looks certain to be their sire Bettors Delight.

He is having a magical season and has clearly taken over now as the best stallion in Australasia.

But their late season campaigns in Australia will ensure neither Carabella nor Gold Ace are seen pre-Christmas next season.

"There is nothing really for four-year-olds early in the season so the Breeders Crown being in August doesn't bother me," said Reid.

And Hill take the same attitude with Carabella, suggesting the Harness Jewels next season will be her main goal.

"She can have a quieter season next season and then maybe she will be a New Zealand Cup horse at five."