KEY POINTS:
The impossible became the feasible for One Over Kenny following a record trial at Ashburton yesterday.
The reigning trotter of the year went under national record time for a mare when she blew away Stig in a 2400m trial, putting seven lengths between herself and trotting's buzz horse.
And she did it with such ease trainer Phil Williamson is starting to think he might have a shot at pulling off a miracle at Addington on Friday night.
One Over Kenny goes into the $150,000 Dominion Handicap facing a 15m handicap in a huge field in what will be her first start since winning the Rowe Cup in May.
Williamson has been backed into that corner after the great mare injured herself in a paddock in September, meaning she has only had two trials since coming back into work.
Just two days ago Williamson, who holds the record for trotting winners trained in a New Zealand season, was lamenting the fact One Over Kenny was going to have to start in the Dominion fresh-up.
But minutes after yesterday's trial he was starting to feel better about this daunting prospect.
One Over Kenny came from a 20m handicap to trot the 2400m in 3:2.5, her last 800m in 57.1 seconds, the final 400m in 28.
That was inside the national mares' record and just 0.4 of a second outside the all-comer's mark but won't be recognised because it was a trial.
One Over Kenny distanced Stig, who made up good ground after being hampered early.
Stig is still the likely favourite for the Dominion but after yesterday's trial there will be plenty of punters who think One Over Kenny can do what Flashing Red did in last Tuesday's New Zealand - overcome a 15m handicap in extraordinary circumstances.
"I am feeling a lot better after that," said Williamson.
"She needed a hard run today but she actually trotted beautifully and I am sure she will be a better horse on Friday because she backs up so well.
"Last week I was starting to wonder whether I was mad trying this with her but now, well, maybe not."
Champion driver Tony Herlihy, who partnered One Over Kenny to win the Australasian Trotting Champs and Rowe Cup last season, will take the reins on Friday night.
"She is Tony's drive for the season, as long as he wants her," said Williamson.
After the upset win of Romper Stomper in last Friday's New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All, the emergence in open class of Stig, Mountbatten and Houdini Star and the brilliance displayed by Kumeu mare Our Sunny Whiz, the open class trotting ranks finally have some depth after two mediocre seasons.
One trotter who won't be in the event, though, is Genius who returned home after failing on Cup day.
He will now be prepared for Christmas racing.
