World Cup Americans

July 31st, 2008 by Andrew Georgiou

The prospect of America's best pacers competing in the $1million Watpac Inter Dominion and the World Cup of Harness racing at Menangle Park is another step closer to reality.

This week the owners of two of America's finest - Artistic Fella and Mister Big - assured event organisers that they are very interested in a trip down under with their star pacers.

Already strong interest has been shown from the connections of Mr Feelgood and Total Truth amongst others including Bono's Best a sale of which was being negotiated by Australian interests this week.

Cold Mountain Stud Racing Manager Derek Payne only last week issued a Press release listing a number of highly credentialed horses headed by South Park Hanover in their "Team USA" assault on the Watpac Inter Dominion and World Cup.

Artistic Fella and Mister Big will contest the $350,000 US Pacing Championship at the Meadowlands this Saturday along with the cream of the northern hemisphere's crop.

"The interest from the United States is extremely strong for these races," NSW Harness Racing Club Chief Executive, John Dumesny said.

"Having two million dollar events like the Watpac Inter Dominion and World Cup will entice American owners to make the trip to Australia.

"They have adopted the concept and can see that a victory in either event will increase their horse's value at stud and naturally, give them bragging rights of owning the best in the world."

"Damien Raedler has had ongoing discussions with a number of stables in the US and Canada as a result of his trip and these have all been positive"

"Yesterday I spoke to both Joe Alborano the owner of Artistic Fella and Joe Muscara the owner of Mister Big and they are both extremely keen to investigate the prospect of racing in Australia.

Artistic Fella, which set a world record last weekend at the 'Big M' (Meadowlands), is owned by Joe Alborano and he is keen to see his pacer race in both the Watpac Inter Dominion and World Cup.

"I love the horse so much for what he has done for me and I owe him every opportunity to prove he's the world champion against the best from all countries," he stated.

"We'll go stride-for-stride with them on Saturday in the US Pacing Championships and I would not be surprised to see a time anywhere from 1:45.4 to 1:46.

Artistic Fella was awesome last weekend winning the US Pacing Classic Final at the Meadowland in world record time of 1:56.2 for the 1 1/16 mile journey.

"We have great friends down your way with John Curtin, Brett Pelling and have established a strong friendship with Peter Walsh.

"I'm sure we can make the necessary arrangements to contest your big events.

"I've heard great things about your new track at Menangle Park and I'm assured that it's world class, just like my horse."

To see all the northern hemisphere stars contest the US Pacing Championship this Saturday (Sunday morning Aust EST), as well as viewing the famed Hambletonian Classic, log on to www.thebigm.com. to check the details of the coverage.