And the Mach Three entire’s co-trainer/driver Mark Purdon says the 4-year-old will be definitely going to the series unless something unexpected happens during the Auckland Cup carnival. Purdon had originally decided to bypass the series to concentrate on the $600,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup and the rich four-year-old races at home.

He has now decided Auckland Reactor can do both.His enthusiasm for the Interdominions has been boosted for several reasons. Auckland Reactor had a torrid January, racing four times in the month and traveling by road from Auckland to Christchurch but was still blooming at the end of it.And during that time key Inter contenders like Changeover and Gotta Go Cullen have struggled to show their best form.

And then a closer look at the conditions of the series convinced Purdon it was achievable.”The first round of heats are only amile and then we have a week to the second round over 2100m,” said Purdon.”And then it is the final, which with the exchange rate is now worth almost $1.2million.

“That is a lot of money and the way he is handling racing and traveling I think we can get him there and be ready to show his best.”

Purdon announced he would miss the series in January but because Auckland Reactor was never actually entered for the Interdominions, he was never withdrawn.So he is eligible to gain entry by paying the late entry fee on Monday.

“Obviously things could happen in the next two weeks that could change our plans but at this stage we definitely intend on going. And I want to let people know now because of the long-range betting.”

Purdon would have detailed his intentions earlier but the availability of a connecting flight from Auckland to the Gold Coast via Melbourne was only confirmed yesterday.

The shock news means the Gold Coast series now shapes as one of the great trans-Tasman sporting clashes of the year.The New Zealand team could consist of Auckland Reactor, NZ Cup winner Changeover, Hunter Cup winner Mr Feelgood, Auckland Cup winner Gotta Go Cullen and a support crew including Awesome Armbro, Zenad and Report For Duty.

But they will meet a formidable Australian defence led by Melpark Major, three-time Interdominion hero Blacks A Fake, Mister Swinger and I Am Sam.While bookmakers Australasia wide will suspend betting on the series this morning, Auckland Reactor is certain to be favourite when the markets re-open.

He won by four lengths in second gear at Addington Raceway last night so will arrive in Auckland on Sunday the winner of 19 of his 20 starts and desperately unlucky after breaking and losing miles at Cambridge in the other.

The US$5 million pacer will contest the $60,000 NZ Herald City Of Auckland Free-For-All onFriday night (Feb. 27) before the Auckland Cup the following Friday.After the Interdoms, Purdon intends bringing Auckland Reactor back to Alexandra Park for the Taylor Mile on April 24 and the New Zealand Messenger Pace on May 1.

The ‘Rolleston Rocket’ will make a rare public workout appearance at Alexandra Park at 7am next Wednesday morning.

NEW INTERDOMINION GRAND FINAL MARKET (courtesy of TAB Sportsbet Australia):

$3.20 AUCKLAND REACTOR

$3.50 Melpark Major

$6 Blacks A Fake

$10 Changeover

$15 Mister Swinger

$18 I Am Sam

$21 Smoken Up

$26 Power Of Tara and Washakie

Michael GUERIN (courtesy of the New Zealand Herald)