Watpac Inter Dominion series favourite Auckland Reactor bounced back as only champions can with a commanding victory in the second qualifying heat at the Gold Coast on Saturday night in Australia

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A week has passed since his controversial defeat last week behind pacer Karloo Mick and the high drama that followed has been relentless. For the first time in his short but glittering career Auckland Reactor would have a new driver. New Zealand's best driver Tony Herlihy was handed the lines on the Mach Three stallion.

Aggresively driven tonight, Auckland Reactor showed good gate speed and followed through strongly and eventually found the lead after a brief tussle with Iron Hudge. Auckland Reactor then repelled a strong mid-race challenge from giant Queensland pacer I Am Sam. Approaching the final turn, Auckland Reactor was travelling extra well and had I Am Sam off the Bit with West Australian raider Washakie making ground.

Owned predominantly by a group of Canadians - including Peter Heffering, Tom Kyron, Bill Loyens, Doug Millard, Irv Storfer, Fred Brayford and Dr. Michael Wilson - Auckland Reactor was comfortable scoring a convincing victory over Washakie and I Am Sam holding third. The overall time was 2.31.4 and a milerate of 1:56 with the sectional breakdown being 34.1 for the lead time then 30.2, 30.1, 27.9 and 29.1 for the last mile.

Dubbo pacer Karloo Mick is the born again star of the Watpac ID09 carnival. Karloo Mick proved his victory last week over series favourite Auckland Reactor was no flash in the pan as he dominated Qualifying heat 4 in sensational style.

Driven by star Sydney reinsman Greg Bennett once again, Karloo Mick was rushed off the gate and showed great early speed to keep all early challengers at bay which surprised many with the lead time left behind in a strong 34.9 seconds. Once in front, Karloo Mick strode through the first quarter in 30.8 but that's where the action began with former North American pacer Mr Feelgood making a relentless three wide move with 1000m left to run. Heading into the back straight, Karloo Mick and Mr Feelgood went stride for stride with the second and third quarters posted in a brilliant 28.0 and 28.5.

Approaching the home turn, Karloo Mick kicked in strongly and dropped Mr Feelgood effortlessly and raced away with a race winning margin whilst his rivals were chasing his ever expanding shadow. At the finish, Karloo Mick won easily again beating kiwi Our Awesome Armbro and Our Brahman Boy with the last quarter timed in 29.4. The overall time was 2.31.6 with the mile rate posted in 1:56.1.

Karloo Mick has quickly endeared himself to the Queensland public and returned to a massive cheer from a strong crowd. Karloo Mick has always carried the "underdog" status throughout his great career but come next week, the cheersquad will be even bigger. Naturally, both Barry Lew and Greg Bennett are delighted with his current form and are eagerly looking forward to Monday's barrier draw which will be held at the Conrad Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast.

New Zealand Cup winner Changeover did the unexpected. Driven aggresively early to find the lead by driver David Butcher, he then elected to hand up to the Inter Dominion king Blacks A Fake after strolling through a comfortable lead time of 35.4.With a easy time being set by Blacks A Fake up front, his rivals looked as though they would be playing catch up but Butcher drove a great tactical race.

Changeover easily took honours and clearly reminded his rival Watpac ID09 contenders that he is right in the mix for next weeks's million dollar Grand Final. At the Finish, Changeover sprint laned defeating Blacks A Fake and Gotta Go Cullen with both Fleur De Lil and Smoken Up not far away in a crowded finish. The time was the slowest of the three heats tonight with the overall time recorded in 2.33.8 with the mile rate coverted to 1:57.4.

Changeover is trained by leading conditioner Geoff Small and returned to a rousing reception courtesy of his gigantic group of happy owners.

The stage is now set for a magical Grand Final.

(ID09)