Racing: Trainers come to the party

When it comes to the Interdominions the Australians just can't help themselves.

After weeks of concerns over whether transtasman trainers would be scared away from sending horses to the Alexandra Park Interdominions in March, 36 were among the nominations which closed yesterday.

And that should guarantee a record Australian contingent in the series which begins on March 4.

Those numbers made a joke of fears the Australians would be put off by the depth of talent in New Zealand harness racing, the lack of travel subsidies for the series, higher than usual nomination and acceptance fees and the right-handed track.

But after the obligatory pre-nomination moaning about all of the above Australian trainers came to the party in unexpected numbers.

"We are very happy with the number of Australians we have nominated and it just goes to show how much they love the Interdominions," said ATC racing boss Robert Death.

The Australian have nominated 26 pacers and 10 trotters while New Zealand provides 33 pacing nominations and 38 for the trotters.

Those numbers will be trimmed, mostly by withdrawals, to 39 pacers and 26 trotters by series start.

"With the sort of numbers nomninated we should get three full pacing heats and two for the trotters, but there is a provision to hold three trotting heats if wanted.

"At this early stage we couldn't be happier."

While the numbers are down on recent years, the higher nomination fees have deterred many of the dreamers from entering horses who would have no chance of even making the series, let alone being competitive.

The Australian challenge is headed by pacing superstar Sokyola while defending champion Sumthingaboutmaori leads their trotting contingent, with strong spport from Sammy Do Good and stablemates Gold N Gold and Bristle.

The quality of nominations will cause a headache for TAB bookies over the weekend as they assess their first markets for the series, which will open next week.

TAB bookie Paul Lally has confirmed dual Auckland Cup hero Elsu will be the favourite for the pacing series over a bunch including Sokyola, Just An Excuse, Mister D G and Young Rufus.

The trotters are not so easy to rate, with stablemates Take A Moment and Lyell Creek set to dispute favouritism, with Allegro Agitato and the Australian stars not far behind.

Among the surprises yesterday were the nominations for retired former heroes Holmes D G and 1999 trotting final winner Special Force, while former New Zealand Cup runner-up Facta Non Verba, who has been unsighted this season, is also nominated.

The first rankings are released next Tuesday, with the trotting rankings in particular sure to cause controversy with 48 horses chasing potentially only 26 spots in their series which boasts a $250,000 final.