Racing: Rejuvenated pacer vulnerable in mile

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Ken Barron has a warning for those wanting to jump on the Stars And Stripes bandwagon tonight.

The New Zealand pacer has been the shock sensation of the Interdominions, producing the performance of his career to bolt away with his opening round heat.

That has seen him tumble in the markets for the March 15 Grand Final as well as promoting him to hot favouritism for his heat at Newcastle tonight.

But Barron says Stars And Stripes is beatable tonight even though he meets a significantly weaker field than the one he murdered last Friday.

"I can't ever remember him racing over a mile before," said Barron of tonight's tricky distance in the third of the four heats.

"I don't really think it is his go and from his wide draw I will be dropping him back early and hoping they go hard.

"If they do that then he can finish over the top of them because the big track will suit him.

"But in mile racing you need a lot of luck when you are back so he is a risk in this heat."

Barron believes Stars And Stripes is right back to the form that won him Pacer of the Year two seasons ago but is now in the fortunate position of being able to drive the five-year-old conservatively because it is hard to see him missing the Grand Final.

If Stars And Stripes is beaten tonight then only Seelster Sam, who has gate speed and a good draw, and unlucky first night placegetter Wally Walton look the dangers.

Tonight's second round of heats will be dominated by short-priced favourites, with first-night winners Shakamaker and Courage Under Fire also very short in the betting.

Courage Under Fire, as he did on the first night, has drawn a weakish heat, but faces a horror draw and the tactics of Brian Hancock will be interesting.

If Hancock heads for the lead from barrier nine he could be vulnerable up the long Newcastle straight but if he pulls back at the start then his rivals could dawdle through the middle stages and give the little stallion too much to do over the final 400m.

His biggest threat will be Safe And Sound, who roared home late after being locked away on the fence on the first night.

He will appreciate the bigger track and looks the best each way bet of the night.

The heat also contains Auckland pacer Pic Me Pockets, who was only average on the opening night.

He has high gate speed so should settle handy on the markers and will need some serious points tonight to have any chance of making the Grand Final.

Like Courage Under Fire and Stars And Stripes, Shakamaker faces a terrible draw in the second heat but won so easily on the first night it shouldn't worry him. He should be able to sit three wide around the last bend and still win.

The most competitive clash of the night should be the battle between Sydney stars Smooth Satin and Atitagain in the last heat.

Smooth Satin was unlucky on the first night but has drawn the ace tonight and his driver Steve Turnbull will look to hold the lead.

"I know he is better coming from behind but he did lead throughout to win over 2965m in the Ben Hur in December so I am not going to waste a good draw," said Turnbull.

"He is very well and we will be looking for maximum points this time."

The Miracle Mile winner was equal $2.10 favourite with Atitagain last night and third favourite behind Shakamaker and Courage Under Fire for the Grand Final.

Atitagain was a gutsy second to Shakamaker on the first night but is not well suited at a mile and lacks gate speed so will have to work at some stage.

Although he will be well supported, he will need to produce something special to beat Smooth Satin. With Newcastle one of the fastest tracks in Australia tonight's heat should provide some electric times, with a 1:54 mile on the cards.