"It's something to look forward to, that's for sure" Hancock said.

" I have always thought he would make a nice horse and he is just getting a bit better each campaign so after this break I might think about targeting some of the bigger races."

Vegas Bound led from start to finish on Sunday and while it is an uncommon practice Hancock believes he can race from anywhere in the field.

"I told Darren on Sunday to just come out with them and see where he ends up. I didn't want him charging out of the gate because he has had a few issues with his heart before but in saying that I think that is all behind him now."

"It had been a while since he had led but he looked good and he is a bit versatile because he was clocked running a very fast half coming from last at Newcastle when he won his heat. He is a very fast horse."

Hancock plans to spell Vegas Bound and Artifactor for three months and will have them back at the races by September, just in time for a possible shot at the Brisbane carnival including the Queensland Pacing Championship.

"That's a long way into the future and a lot can happen between now and then but I think he deserves his chance at some of the big races."

"I'm not sure I would want to travel all the way to Queensland to bump into Blacks A Fake but Vegas Bound will make it I think at the next level."

The regular driver of Vegas Bound is Darren Hancock and although he flew out to the United States of America on Tuesday night in an attempt to further his harness career, Uncle Brian is still sticking solid at this stage.

"Darren is his regular driver and he has done a fantastic job with the horse right throughout his career and who knows he might be back in September so he would be back as his driver too."

"If he is still in America by then the logical choice is young Mitchell (Reese). He has done a great job driving Artifactor for me and I like the way the kid drives."

"I noticed Johnny Tapp had used him a few times and I watched him closely and Mitchell makes a lot of right decisions so if Darren is still overseas then Mitchell would get first chance."

Next year's Inter Dominion series will be run at Addington in Christchurch and Hancock isn't afraid to travel in search of glory should he find the right horse.

"If you have the right horse and they are going well at the right time it's very hard not to go to an Inter Dominion series. The recent carnival in Sydney was great, the right horses got to the final, there was a big crowd on Sunday and there was good prizemoney on offer."

"Most people know that I like three heats and a final because it gives the horses down the rankings a chance to perform against the best. Those horses are the ones that put the show on and they should be given a chance to earn good money too."

Stable star returning for Fitzpatrick

It has been a while since Rohan Home last stepped out onto a racetrack. The son of Riverboat King looked ready to take the next step when he finished second behind Maffioso at the Breeders Crown on August 23 last year but an internal problem left trainer Paul Fitzpatrick scratching his head.

The five year old is set to return to the trials next week and Fitzpatrick is hoping that all of the gelding's problems are over.

"He had a good spell and he was coming up with Lady Lexus but then all of a sudden he had an issue with his digestive system and he fell away overnight" Fitzpatrick said.

"So we gave him a break and I don 't know whether the problem will ever come back but it will be good to have him back at the trials next week with a long term aim being a race like the Len Smith Mile."

It's been a quiet Inter Dominion for the Fitzpatrick stable that looked to be a major player six months ago. With horses like Newcastle Mile winner Saucy Legend, Golden Mile winner Lonestar Legend, Lombo Pocket Watch and Lady Lexus all racing well it was disappointing for Fitzpatrick to not have a representative in the series after Lonestar Legend was scratched hours before the first round of heats.

The stable's luck has improved since with Davey J returning to the winners circle a fortnight ago after an injury forced lay-off.

"It was good to get Davey J back because he does have plenty of ability. He was treated for a tendon injury in his off side front and it took a bit longer than we expected to get him back but to see him win at Harold Park was very pleasing. "

"He will compete again this Friday night and he will just race through his grades before we work out what races to target with him. We never exposed him to the best but he just kept getting better and if he continues to hold together I think he can win a number of races."

The Bathurst Gold Tiara heats will be run on Friday week and Fitzpatrick has confirmed he is planning to start Kate Ritchie in the series.

"At this stage we are just taking up the one two year old. Kate Ritchie will go around but we are going to take up a number of three year olds and Lady Lexus will run during the carnival as well."

Alison ZAMMIT