KEY POINTS:
Not only does driver Gavin Lang think Robin Hood can dent Blacks A Fake's Interdominion defence tonight, he thinks he can do it the hard way.
Lang is Australia's best reinsman, renowned for his patience, but he is adopting a totally different attitude to tonight's star clash of the opening round of the Interdominions.
The series begins at Moonee Valley in Melbourne before moving to Adelaide next week and Lang believes that could play into his hands tonight as he attempts to down Blacks A Fake in the second pacing heat.
While Blacks A Fake is the best pacer in the series he can also be a poor traveller and his trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen has already expressed her concern about him having a hard first week of the series.
Lang is hoping to play on those concerns with the aid of a front line draw with Robin Hood tonight.
The Victorian pacer has drawn handily at three and should settle in front of Blacks A Fake, who will start from two on the second line.
"I want to be in front of her and control the race," admits Lang.
While most punters would suspect that means leading, Lang has other ideas.
"I would actually prefer to be parked out, for a couple of reasons.
"It won't bother him because he is such a perfect racehorse and also it will make Natalie have to think twice with her horse.
"If I am parked out she knows I won't give that position to her and if she tries to come forward too early in the race then she is going to be stuck three wide for a long way, which she won't want this early in the series.
"So either way I am confident Blacks is going to have to work harder than me and I think we can beat him."
Robin Hood was Victoria's great pacing hope a year ago before an injury nearly ended his career. He returned to racing just a month ago but was a brave third to Blacks A Fake in the Victoria Cup.
Lang's confidence is obviously shared by the stable, with Aussie bookmakers being hit with large bets on Robin Hood as soon as they opened markets on Wednesday.
While he rates Robin Hood his best chance of success tonight, Lang will play a major role in the chances of Kiwi success as he drives stablemates Foreal (first heat) and Tribute (third).
Foreal was outstanding winning in weaker company at Moonee Valley last start but may struggle from her wide draw against Flashing Red and fellow Kiwi rep Winforu.
"She is a good mare but that draw won't help. Still, the pace should be on with Flashing Red in the race so I think she will get some of it."
Tribute's chances depend on the attitude of rival drivers in the last leg.
The race could be dominated by Grand Circuit champion Be Good Johnny if he is able to wrest the lead from Smooth Crusa.
But if that doesn't happen then the faster tempo would suit Tribute, who has gone some huge races this season.
"He was very good when he ran home late in the Victoria Cup and I think he is under-rated," said Lang. "He will get some good points tonight, I am sure of that."
Lang is tipping New Zealand to continue its dominance of that gait over the next fortnight.
"I think Glenbogle is the one to beat in the trotting series," said Lang, who has won three trotting Grand Finals. "He had good manners, is going big races and has a 10m start over A Touch Of Flair when they meet."
First Pacing Heat
10.12pm tonight
Best chance of a Kiwi pacing win tonight with Foreal and Winforu in heat which Flashing Red will dominate on tote.
The latter was outstanding winning the New Zealand Cup and produced the run of the race for second in Victoria Cup on this track and distance last start.
Flashing Red (8) has drawn the inside of the second line, which will makes things tricky, but as he has no gate speed he will still be able to revert to his usual racing pattern.
He should win as the 2575m distance gives him another time to turn the race into a staying test.
Winforu (4) is looking to make his third Grand Final and has a great chance as his last-start Alex Park win was very strong. He won the Moonee Valley Cup in track record time here from the stand and if he can lead he will take catching.
Foreal (6) was good winning in a weaker field here last start and is always a trifecta must while Karloo Mick (2) is the roughie as he has gate speed and is nearing the form that saw him run second in the Final last season.
* Top three: Flashing Red, Winforu, Foreal.
Second Pacing Heat
10.42pm
Huge betting plunge in Australia this week suggests Robin Hood can upset defending champion Blacks A Fake.
There is no doubt Blacks A Fake (9) is the best pacer in Australasia at present but he has drawn two on the second line, albeit behind a good beginner in Make Me Smile.
If Blacks A Fake gets through at the start and settles in front of Robin Hood then he should still win but if Robin Hood can hold his place the whole complexion of the race changes.
Robin Hood (3) is coming back to his best with a slashing third in the Victoria Cup and his driver Gavin Lang will fancy his chances of muscling his way to the lead past Make Me Smile.
If he can do that then the punting plunge which has seen him go from $4.80 to $3.80 in Australia could prove a masterstroke.
While the big two will dominate, Make Me Smile (2) is perfectly placed to get big points by leading then maybe trailing one of the guns.
Sweet Fame (7), who has gate speed, and Top Taper (8) are miracle place hopes but Kiwi rep Presido (10) will need a miracle.
* Top three: Robin Hood, Blacks A Fake, Make Me Smile.
First Trotting Heat
11.12pm
This is Glenbogle's race.
The Kiwi trotter has been racing stronger this season and his driver Chris Alford is understandably confident going into tonight's race.
Glenbogle (12) broke the race record when able to lead in the Bill Collins Mile two starts ago then stormed home after being locked away on the fence in the Australian Grand Prix last start.
Alford says he will drive the freegoer forward in the middle stages and try and make defending champion Delft (13) work hard, especially on the bends.
"That is where he is vulnerable and I don't think he can give us a start and beat us," said Alford.
Delft has not trotted smoothly at any stage this campaign but did trial well last Saturday and is a brilliant standing start beginner so should make up much of his 30m handicap quickly.
It is impossible to go past the Kiwis, with Clares Brother (11), Viva La Fever (7), Contessa Hest (3) and Tough Tussle (5) the trifecta hopes.
* Top three: Glenbogle, Delft, Clares Brother.
Third Pacing Heat
11.42pm
Could be the race of the night and so much depends on whether Be Good Johnny (4) can lead.
The dual Miracle Mile winner was disappointing after getting too far back in the Victoria Cup last start but has worked sensationally this week.
If he leads it is impossible to see him beaten but his chances of doing that depend on the attitude of Davin Fitzpatrick driving Smooth Crusa (1).
He has been one of the big improvers on the Grand Circuit this season and the stable may see this as their chance to get maximum points. If they hold the front then it becomes a far harder race for Be Good Johnny.
Any speed duel would suit New Zealand pony Tribute (2), who was outstanding winning the Tasmanian Pacing Champs two starts ago then stormed home for sixth in the Victoria Cup. He may lack the high speed of the two favourites but is racing extremely well and could upset if the pace is really on.
Reba Rajah (5) who won the Kilmore Cup three starts ago was disappointing when beaten at Shepparton last week.
* Top three: Be Good Johnny, Smooth Crusa, Tribute.
Second Trotting Heat
12.12am (Saturday NZT)
Like the first trotting heat looks a race in two between A Touch Of Flair and Whatsundermykilt.
A Touch Of Flair (13) is clearly Australia's best trotter and thrashed Whatsundermykilt in the Australian Trotting Grand Prix last start.
The race was run to suit the Australian star on that occasion and he may need more luck tonight as he faces a 20m handicap.
But as a good beginner he should soon be right behind Whatsundermykilt so can track him.
Whatsundermykilt (12) was just below his best last start following a gutbuster in the Bill Collins Mile the previous week and has worked better since. He is good from a standing start and if he could move early and put even one horse between himself and A Touch Of Flair then he can win.
Cambridge trotter Romper Stomper (3) has raced a long way below his best this season but trialled well last weekend so may be able to turn things around in a weak field.
Flying Hardwick (4) and Jauriol (8) look the trifecta hopes.
* Top three: A Touch Of Flair (13), Whatsundermykilt (12), Romper Stomper (3).
