Racing: Veteran sizzles in Interdom workouts

Driver Anthony Butt declared Interdominion trotting favourite Take A Moment right on target for the series after a sizzling trial at Addington yesterday.

The two-time Interdom champ was having only his second public outing in 13 months after missing all of last year's racing with injury.

That means he will go into the Interdominions, which start at Alexandra Park on March 4, without a lead-up race, but judging by his trial yesterday he still deserves his early favouritism.

Take A Moment finished only fourth in the one-win and faster pacers' trial over 2600m but his sectional time and smooth gait impressed Butt.

Take A Moment was timed over his last 2400m in an outstanding 3:1.5; his final 800m was in 57.6s.

"That is about as fast as trotters go and you have to remember he hasn't raced for more than a year," said Butt.

"What we are really happy about is how he trotted. His gait was perfect, which is an indication he doesn't have problems with his legs."

Butt said Take A Moment now needs racing to sharpen his sprinting prowess before the $250,000 trotting final on March 18.

"Because he has been away from the races for so long he isn't as sharp as he would be at his peak, although it is pretty hard to sprint quickly at the end of a hard 2400m like that.

"But we know he will sharpen up during the series and for now he is right where we want him."

Take A Moment will travel to Auckland this weekend and have his final pre-series workout at Alexandra Park the following Saturday.

He will be accompanied by champion stablemate and Interdom second favourite Lyell Creek.

Lyell Creek has not raced since running third to Glenbogle at Cambridge on January 7 and will go into the series fresh.

"We think at his age that is the best way to go with him, keeping him mentally fresh," Butt said.

"But we are just as happy with him as we are with Take A Moment."

Butt is adamant he has not decided which trotter he will drive if, as expected, they both make the final.

"It is a tough choice and I am glad I don't have to make it yet. But this is an Interdominion, after all, so I can't be letting my emotions get in the way. If they both make the final I will drive whoever I think has the better chance of winning the race, simple as that."

Take A Moment is the $5 favourite for the series.

Lyell Creek is at $5.50, Sammy Do Good at $6.50 and Delft at $7.

With none of that quartet expected to race again before the series punters are in for a confusing time.

One of the other leading chances for the series, Allegro Agitato, has become something of a forgotten horse because she has not raced since New Year's Eve.

That has caused her to drift to great value at $15 and punters can gauge her progress at the Pukekohe workouts this Saturday.

In other Interdominion news, the top-ranked pacer in the series, The Falcon Strike, pulled out yesterday.

The move was not unexpected after the Perth-based entry faded badly in Saturday night's Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley.

Trainer Gary Hall said he expects The Falcon Strike to be retired to stud.

That will be the first major win of the Interdoms for the TAB, for whom The Falcon Strike was the worst result after being backed in from $60 to $16.

Another Australian grand circuit star, 2001 Interdominion champion Smooth Satin, confirmed his trip to Alexandra Park with an easy win in a small field at Harold Park in Sydney last night.

Quick moment

* Take A Moment continues his Interdominion preparation with a smart trial at Addington.

* He trotted fast sectionals and will travel to Auckland this weekend.

* His stablemate Lyell Creek is also pleasing his connections.

* Leading Perth pacer The Falcon Strike has been withdrawn from the series.