The connections of down-under pacing sensation Auckland Reactor have announced that the four-year-old son of Mach Three will be contesting the $1.6 million Gold Coast Inter Dominion in March
in Queensland, Australia.
The connections' announcement goes against what was said just one month ago. The late entry fee for nomination will be $22,000 in Australian funds. Auckland Reactor will be looking to become just the third four-year-old in the past 20 years to capture the final of the Inter Dominion (Shakamaker, 2000; Mark Hanover, 1993).
Trainer/driver Mark Purdon conditions the star Mach Three horse that has triumphed in 18 of 19 career races.
"January ended up being a really hectic month of racing for him, but he thrived on it," Purdon was quoted as saying in an article today by goldcoast.com.au. Purdon's comments are in reference to why the connections have decided to go ahead and nominate the star horse.
"And the format for this year's Inter suits a horse having his first go at it. The first round of heats are only a mile (1,609 metres) and then second round is 2,100 (metres). There's only the two rounds of heats into the final."
The report states that 'The Reactor' still has two races scheduled in New Zealand before he ships to Australia for the Inter Dominion.
The surprise announcement from The Reactor's camp have caused havoc with TAB Sportsbet's prepost betting markets, which do not include Auckland Reactor.
To view the goldcoast.com.au article, which includes quotes from TAB Sportsbet officials, click here.
(With files from goldcoast.com.au)