Racing: Strong field a worry for Lang

Let Me Thru meets a strong field of Kiwi trotters in the final tonight. Photo / Greg Bowker

The reality of winning the greatest trot races in New Zealand could hit home for Let Me Thru in tonight's $250,000 Interdominion Trotting Final.

For the first time in his career, the Victorian star faces multiple threats from horses of similar ability, and that is what concerns champion trainer Chris Lang.

Let Me Thru deserves favouritism for tonight's 2700m thriller even after drawing the second line because he has been the best trotter in the series.

On the first night, he worked hard to lead then still outstayed tonight's second favourite in Sovereignty.

Last Friday, he rose to an even higher level after he came from last at the top of the straight to gun down Springbank Richard and I Can Doosit.

Add those to his wins in the Australasian Trotting Champs in February and Let Me Thru is set to become Australasia's next champion.

But trainer Lang, who has won the past three Interdominion Finals, knows class isn't the problem tonight. The depth of the field is.

"A lot of people back home don't realise how hard it is to win a big trot race over here," said Lang.

"Back home, if we have four really good trotters in the same race it is a big deal. But this week, you have about seven or eight trotters in this race who probably only have about two lengths between them.

"So this horse might go a super race this week, be able to sit parked and beat Sovereignty or whoever is in front but get gunned down by Stylish Monarch, Raydon or Springbank Richard.

"That is the problem. When the fields are as even as they are over here any bad luck will be punished."

Lang admits he has had his share of good Interdom luck, with his three Grand Final winners having led all the way, a luxury many people think arch rival Sovereignty will be accorded tonight.

"In front is the place to be because if you are good enough from in front you will win.

"And that will make it really hard to beat Sovereignty, because he looks the leader. What we have to hope for is no bad luck, some good luck and a fair shot."

With a decent cart into the race, Let Me Thru may simply be too good for his Kiwi rivals but he does face the prospect of being 15 lengths off the leaders when the field settles.

That opens a huge doorway of opportunity for Sovereignty, who pulled too hard when disappointing last Friday but should relax better tonight with his winkers removed.

Springbank Richard has been a revelation this carnival and could easily divebomb the leaders, while Stylish Monarch was excellent in both heats and set a national 3200m record when beating most of these in the Dominion in November.

The hardest horse to work out is I Can Doosit, who looks a superstar when he is right, but has his share of off nights.

He was set to win at the top of the straight last Friday but folded up in the last 50m, possibly as his fitness gave out.

He should be fitter tonight and may be better suited to relaxing early then winding into the race. With New Zealand's best trainer and a great 2700m record he looks the best each-way value tonight.

Still, like Let Me Thru and all the other winning hopes, he is going to need to not just be the best but also the luckiest.

ALL THE FORM FOR THE TROTTERS

TROTTING FINAL, mobile 2700m, 8.30pm:

Let Me Thru (14) drawing the second line looks bad but it may be a blessing. There are a lot of stayers in this race who will settle back and have to move and he has more speed than them. If he gets the right cart into it he will explode at the top of the straight. Sovereignty (3) gets his chance as he should work to the lead and trots best against the markers. Blinds come off so shouldn't pull so hard and it's his race to lose. Stylish Monarch (4) has done nothing wrong and will love sitting just off a hot speed. Concern is getting pushed back when the swoopers come. I Can Doosit (13) is getting fitter and will need to but a hot pace and a nice cart in and he will be strong at the finish. Springbank Richard (7) has been a revelation this series and could win without surprising, again a lot depending on who he tracks into the race. Dr Hook (9) is the best blowout trifecta hope, sitting on the markers minding his own business.

Selections: Let Me Thru, Sovereignty, I Can Doosit, Stylish Monarch.

The punt: Let Me Thru at better than $2.70. Otherwise play the long odds I Can Doosit and Stylish Monarch and cross your fingers.

The market: $2: Let Me Thru, $5.50: Sovereignty, $7: Springbank Richard, Stylish Monarch; $7.50: I Can Doosit, $21: Dr Hook, Raydon; $41: Danny Cash, $51: Great Getaway, $61: Master Bomber, Lets Get Serious; $101: Beat The Monarch, Kyvalley Mac; $151: Ready Set, Lleyton H.