Racing: Punters drawn to Kiwi star

Smolda faces a stern test in the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle next Sunday after drawing badly. Photo / Christine Cornege

Bookies favour Terror To Love to add the Interdom title to his two New Zealand Cups.

Only shocking luck at today's barrier draw can see Kiwi hero Terror To Love replaced as favourite for Sunday's A$750,000 Interdominion Final.

The dual New Zealand Cup winner has dominated markets on the final since his effortless heat win at Alexandra Park nine days ago and Australia's leading harness bookmaker doesn't expect that to change after the barrier draw at 1pm (NZ time) today.

"The only way he could lose favouritism is if he draws the inside of the second line," said the Australian TAB's harness guru Mick Ramsay.

"And he only has one chance in 14 of doing that so you can pretty much be assured he will be favourite when they score up on Sunday."

The horse who could replace Terror To Love at the head of the markets is I'm Themightyquinn and even then a good barrier can prove bad for him as he doesn't like to work early.

The other Kiwi-trained pacers in Sunday's final are Sir Lincoln, who races in Australia as Lincoln Royal, and Mah Sish, who is third favourite.

He moved into that slot after Caribbean Blaster, who had been the third favourite, was beaten into second behind Melpark Major in Saturday night's Geelong Cup.

In a surprise move, I'm Themightyquinn and a couple of other Interdom finalists will compete in a trial between races at Menangle tomorrow after Sydney's big wet robbed them of robust work over the weekend.

While the barrier draw for the Final will be held today, New Zealand-trained stars have already copped the worst of the draws for two of Sunday's other group one features.

Bettor Cover Lover has lost favouritism for the A$200,000 Ladyship Mile after drawing the outside of the front line, although fellow Kiwi pacers Cheer The Lady (2) and Elusive Chick (4 after emergencies come out) have drawn better.

Superstar 4-year-old Smolda has also drawn the outside of the front line in the A$200,000 Chariots Of Fire, being replaced as favourite by Canterbury pacer Christian Me after he drew barrier four.

Jason Rulz will start from barrier nine, seeing him blow out in the markets.

New Zealand pacers fared better in the draws for the NSW Derby and Oaks.

Bit Of A Legend was a brave second in his rain-soaked heat of the Derby on Saturday night and will start from two in the final.

Rozelski was an easy winner of her Oaks heat on Saturday and is the likely favourite for the A$200,000 classic, in which she should start from barrier five.

Meanwhile, a powerful team of stars headed by Easy On The Eye, Fly Like An Eagle and Adore Me trialled at Alexandra Park on Saturday.

They were all preparing for the opening night of Auckland Cup Week on Friday, in which Adore Me will dominate betting on the Pascoes Northern Oaks.

Friday's meeting also contains an open-class free-for-all and two preludes of the Woodlands Northern Derby.