Racing: Rejuvenated Courage ready for battle

By MICHAEL GUERIN in Sydney

Brian Hancock has a message for the Courage Under Fire army.

Don't be greedy.

That is how the man who has won more Interdominions than any other sums up the challenge facing him because of Courage Under Fire's barrier draw for tomorrow night's Interdominion Pacing Grand Final.

Courage Under Fire would appear to have drawn perfectly at barrier four, until you see Shakamaker starting inside him.

Reverse their starting positions and Courage Under Fire would be clear favourite, expected by many to lead and win.

But for all his blazing gate speed, Courage Under Fire is unlikely to be able to cross Shakamaker at the start should both their drivers want the lead.

And that means Courage Under Fire is likely to have to cover more ground than his arch-rival.

But Hancock, the winner of six Interdominion titles, has been in this position enough times to know not to panic just yet.

"It could have been better but hey, it could have been a lot worse," he admitted.

"Sure, I would have loved to have drawn inside Shakamaker but then again I would rather be in my shoes than the blokes driving Smooth Satin [barrier 12] and Stars And Stripes [seven].

"Let's not get too greedy."

Hancock says he will give Courage Under Fire his head off the gate and see what happens.

It is no sure thing Shakamaker is going to lead, and even if he does he may not hold it that easily.

"I'll be having a look at the start and Dennis Wilson [driving Atitagain drawn the ace] has gone on record saying he will be trying to hold the lead," said Hancock.

"Add a bit of pressure from the outside and it could be a good race to take a sit.

"That is what happened in last season's Grand Final when both Shakamaker and Courage Under Fire burned energy early from good draws and were run over by Yulestar, who sat midfield on the fence.

"We can still come from off the pace and win but that will depend on the tempo early in the race," Hancock said.

"But I still think I am in a good position and I wouldn't change my horse for any other in the race."

Courage Under Fire fans can also go into the race with renewed confidence after the little pacing hero showed great determination to come from off the pace to win at Newcastle last week.

Before that heat victory over Safe And Sound, Courage Under Fire had compiled a terrible record in major open-class races in which he had to come from off the markers and run down top horses.

But the tiny stallion is clearly racing better now than at any other stage of his open-class career and is several lengths better than before Christmas when he disappointed in the Miracle Mile and Treuer Memorial.

While his legions of fans may promote him to favourite on the tote, he was second favourite at $5 with bookies yesterday, Shakamaker heading all markets at $3.

* Harold Park officials are taking no chances on the eve their biggest night of the year.

Since 6 o'clock last night every horse in the Pacing Grand Final has had a security guard assigned to it, to ensure no prohibited substances are administered.

The 14 runners in the Trotting Grand Final will have guards from 6 o'clock tonight.