Racing: Point to prove for pacer

Bobs Blue Boy has a point to prove at Alexandra Park tonight.

The Canterbury pacer should start favourite for tonight's pacing feature, the final Alexandra Park lead-up race to the Interdominion series which starts there in 15 days.

The only problem for Bobs Blue Boy is even if he wins tonight he may not make it into the series.

The gelding was surprisingly only rated 43rd when the final rankings for the Interdominions were released yesterday, meaning he needs four horses ranked above him to pull out of the series to get a start.

That should happen when the final payments are made on Monday but it still doesn't leave trainer Steve Roulston with much room to move.

Ironically, while Bobs Blue Boy is on the outer for the series, four horses he is favoured to beat tonight are guaranteed a start in the Interdominions.

While Bobs Blue Boy is still getting used to Alexandra Park his last start second to Elsu here was an indication he is the horse to beat tonight, especially after what Elsu did in the Hunter Cup last Saturday.

From barrier four he has the chance to press forward and use his fitness to dominate a race in which only Alta Serena and Sly Flyin look serious winning threats.

Tonight's 2200m mobile is also the last chance for veteran pacing heroes Holmes D G and Facta Non Verba to earn their spots in the Interdoms.

Both are ranked high enough to get in to the series but would need to improve on their comeback efforts at Cambridge last Friday to have any chance in of being competitive.

"If he improves this week, and I think he should, then the Inters are still on," said Holmes D G's trainer-driver Barry Purdon.

While Bobs Blue Boy should start favourite, Alta Serena was the $2.50 elect with the TAB bookies last night.

The mighty mare was luckless in her two recent Addington starts and is good enogh to win tonight but is best when driven with a sit so may not be able to take best advantage of barrier three.

The value in the race should be Sly Flyin, who went his best race for some time when fourth after being three wide for the last lap at Cambridge last Friday.

At his best he would win tonight and should get the chance as he starts behind a fast beginner in The Power of Wealth.

Tonight's other feature brings together many of the second tier Interdominion trotters, also racing under the mobile conditions they will encounter in the series.

While the likes of Paris Metro, Glenbogle, Whatsundermykilt, Lanson and Gold have proved their form this season and are using tonight's race merely for fitness, the greatest pressure is on Rosscoe.

Last season's four-year-old of the year has not returned to that form thus summer, galloping under pressure on three occasions and generally looking a shadow on his best.

Tonight's race looks perfect for him as he is well drawn and has gate speed in a race where there should be few attackers.

His trainer Tony Milina believes Rosscoe is trotting every bit as well as last season so there should be few excuses for him tonight.

The horse to beat though is Paris Metro, who won a group one mobile trot three starts ago and looked back to that form with a fast-finishing second last start.

Dual features

* Several Interdominion candidates will have their final lead-up races at Alexandra Park tonight.

* Bobs Blue Boy has the most to prove after being ranked outside the 39 pacers who will start in the series.

* Tonight's trotting event is the last chance for Rosscoe to return to his best form before the series.

* The final rankings for the series were released yesterday.

* Final rankings for the Interdominions, which start on March 4. New Zealand unless stated.

PACERS (top 39 make the series)

Elsu 1, Sokyola (Aus) 2, Just An Excuse 3, Young Rufus 4, Flashing Red (Aus) 5, Camlach (Aus) 6, Hexus (Aus) 7, Ohoka Ace (Aus) 8, Mister D G 9, Howard Bromac 10, Smooth Satin (Aus) 11, Sand Pebbles (Aus) 12, Oscar Wild 13, Te Kanarama (Aus) 14, Harnetts Creek 15, Sly Flyin 16, Jagged Account 17, Blue Chip Rock 18, Scorching 19, London Legend 20, Maheer Lord 21, Country Ways (Aus) 22, Lee Robyn 23, Holmes D G 24, Lively Medley (Aus) 25, Facta Non Verba 26, Bella's Boy 27, Mont Denver Gold (Aus) 28, Dominator Stride (Aus) 29, Selby Bromac (Aus) 30, Coburg 31, Rollon Bigred (Aus) 32, Attorney General 33, Alta Serena 34, Eagles Together 35, Franco Heir (Aus) 36, Winforu 37, Mustang Fighter (Aus) 38, Braeside Seel Star (Aus) 39.

Mendacity (Aus) 40, Patches (Aus) 41, Glen Atom (Aus) 42, Bobs Blue Boy 43, Linford Christie 44, Atlanta Georgia (Aus) 45, Ohoka Atom 46, Flying Sands 47, The Power Of Wealth 48.

TROTTERS (top 26 make the series)

Sumthingaboutmaori (Aus) 1, Take A Moment 2, Lyell Creek 3, Sammy Do Good (Aus) 4, Gold N Gold (Aus) 5, Paris Metro 6, Lost In The Park (Aus) 7, Allegro Agitato 8, Castleton's Mission 9, Lanson 10, Pompallier 11, Play On 12, Stirling Kiwi (Aus) 13, Toomuch To Do 14, Glenbogle 15, Rosscoe 16, Martina H 17, Uncle Petrika (Aus) 18, Whatsundermykilt 19, Delft 20, Gold 21, Sophocles (Aus) 22, Marie Wishes 23, Prince Sundon 24, Young Pointer 25, Major Decision 26.

Special Force 27, Cracker Nova 28, Iwi Alex 29, Spin The Yarn 30, Cool Kahli 31, Hide In Your Shell 32, Alexikov 33, Infuse (Aus) 34, Yummy Lace 35, Landora's Image 36, Romper Stomper 37.

Final payment due February 21. Final acceptors and reserves declared February 23.