Racing: Place in grand final, that's Foreal

HOBART - After a lifetime in harness racing it takes a lot to surprise Tim Butt - yet Foreal managed it last night.

The diminutive mare became the first Kiwi pacer to win at this Interdominion carnival with a stunning performance in last night's second last heat of the series.

She did so thanks to a perfect drive from Anthony Butt, who waited patiently while his rivals went crazy up front.

That left Foreal with plenty of energy to outgun Cobbity Classic and hot favourite Slipnslide, who fought on well after being savaged in front.

While trainer Tim Butt never doubted Foreal could win a major race he was surprised she was able to beat Slipnslide last night.

"This has been a hard series on her because she is only a little mare and it takes a lot out of herself when she races.

"I looked at her yesterday and thought she was very light in condition and I admit I was worried.

"But you can never tell what is inside them - their heart, and she has plenty of that."

Foreal's win ended a luckless series for the New Zealand pacers and with one heat remaining last night only her and almost certainly Winforu looked likely to be in next Sunday's A$1.5 million ($1.74 million) final.

"Now she is in the final we have a week to freshen her up," said Butt.

Foreal's win took her series points to 33 after second and sixth placings on the first two nights.

The Washington VC four-year-old mare was one of last season's star fillies with her wins including the A$100,000 New South Wales Oaks in Sydney last season.

Prior to last night's racing, Foreal had been at $11 on the New Zealand TAB's fixed-odds market to win the Interdominion final but is now sure to be at shorter odds.

The defeat of Slipnslide will leave Blacks A Fake as the favourite for the final at least until the barrier draw tomorrow.

He was awesome winning the first heat last night, when he showed blazing gate speed to lead Howard Bromac then held the Kiwi pacer out in track record time.

It was a huge statement from the Queensland pacer who looks the strongest horse in the series.

Howard Bromac was game in finishing second, leaving him on 25 points with a miracle hope of making the final.

"He was just a bit rough out of the gate and that cost us holding the lead," said trainer-driver Kirk Larsen.

"He went well and was making ground on the winner so if we can sneak into the final he has got a chance."

The night was not so good for the rest of the New Zealand contingent though, with many of them missing the final.

Foreal's stablemate Cams Fool raced below his best in the first heat while Bobs Blue Boy was trapped wide throughout the second heat.

He dropped out to finish second last and also cost Napoleon a chance by forcing him to go four wide down the back straight.

That saw Napoleon drop out and also miss his spot in the final.

INTERDOMINIONS RESULTS

3 HEAT 8 MOBILE PACE, $60,000, MOBILE, 2579m 2-3 Blacks A Fake (6) fr N Rasmussen 1 1-1 Howard Bromac (1) fr K Larsen 2 8-7 Safari (3) fr B Gath 3 All started. Also (in finish order): 9-10 Penny Veejay, 3-2 Sting Lika Bee, 7-6 No Blue Manna, 5-5 Smooth Crusa, 12-12 Mustang Fighter, 10-11 Sokyola, 11-9 Camlach, 4-4 Cams Fool (pulled up), 6-8 Hexus (lost rider). 1L, 1-1/2L, n/a. Time: 3:08.5. MR: Not available. Last 800m: Not available. Win: $3.55. Places: $1.90, $1.45, $4.05. Quinella: $6.05. Trifecta: $157.80. TAB Treble: $36.15 (3/4/6). Trainer: Natalie Rasmussen, Ipswich. Breeding: 5 g Fake Left USA-Colada Hanover.

5 HEAT 9 MOBILE PACE, $60,000, MOBILE, 2579m 3-4 Foreal (10) fr A Butt 1 8-8 Cobbity Classic (9) fr A McCarthy 2 1-1 Slipnslide (5) fr L McCarthy 3 Scratched: Dinki Di. Also (in finish order): 7-6 Tromos, 6-7 Sweet Fame, 2-2 Karloo Mick, 9-9 Money Magnet, 11-11 Home Of Jack, 5-5 Napoleon, 4-3 Bobs Blue Boy, 10-10 Maheer Lord. 1/2L, 1L, n/a. Time: 3:08.8. MR: Not available. Last 800m: Not available. Win: $7.30. Places: $2.30, $6.30, $1.15. Quinella: $110.15. Trifecta: $939.65. Trainer: Tim Butt, Christchurch. Breeding: 4 m Washington Vc USA-Krystle (nz).