The best from either side of the Tasman gave the strong Moonee Valley crowd what they wanted in Australasian trotting’s showcase event and it was Sundons Gift who emerged triumphant for the Aussies.

The enigmatic gelding gave Nagambie trainer-driver Chris Lang back-to-back Inter Dominion wins when he powered his way to a Moonee Valley 2575-metre track record.

And Lang, who got his name on the Inter Dominion honour roll when Galleons Sunset won last year’s final at the same track, could not have been happier.

“I honestly cannot believe this,” he said. “A hell of a lot of work has gone into this horse in the past two or three months and it’s a great team effort and it’s because of that team that I’m here now.”

Sundons Gift put behind him the bad manners that plagued his lead-up to the Inter Dominion in the most emphatic fashion when he trotted faultlessly throughout for his 1:59.7 win.

That included an incredible 56.6-second last half and slashed 1.3 seconds of Sundons Gift’s existing record.

“I just can’t believe that last half,” Lang said. “He’s a super trotter and I’m just so proud to be associated with him.”

While Lang wasn’t interested in getting involved in the speed battle at the start of the race despite a favourable draw of barrier two, once the dust settled he surged Sundons Gift forward and by the time the field passed the post with two laps to go the $4.50 second favourite was in front.

In proved the decisive move of the race. Tony Herlihy worked his way to the spot outside Sundons Gift aboard One Over Kenny during a 31.1-second first quarter and it was after a 58.9-second split for the middle two quarters that the champion Kiwi trainer-driver made his move.

He crept within a metre of Sundons Gift about 250m from home, which prompted the crowd to get excited, but just 50 metres later it was evident Lang and Sundons Gift had their rivals’ measure.

He straightened with a six-metre advantage over One Over Kenny and Whatsundermykilt and despite their best efforts in the final 150m was able to hold on for a three-metre win over the $1.90 favourite with Whatsundermykilt ($9.70) a half neck back in third spot.