BY RACING & SPORTS
A much better draw gives Curly James his chance to force his way into the Inter Dominion Pacing Final when the series heads to Menangle for the final round of heats on Saturday night.
Curly James came into ID24 as one of the form pacers but has copped back row draws in both rounds and sits in 10th spot in a congested part of the series points table so need big points in round three to ensure his place in the final.
Curly James has performed admirably despite the challenges of his draws, chasing for second in his opener and finishing less than 8m away at Bathurst.
He had gone into the series with a string of Group placings and won the last time he raced at Menangle so should get every chance to show his best from the inside draw.
He comes up against impressive round one winner Cantfindabettorman who then drew the back row and covered ground when midfield at Bathurst.
He has yet to miss a place at this circuit and distance and a good draw can see him bounce back.
Captains Knock leads the series points table having followed his opening heat win with a placing at Bathurst, coming from the back line both times. He draws wide but only needs to hold his form to be in the finish again.
The ever-reliable Max Delight has been sound in both rounds of the series and should feature again despite the second row barrier while Mach Dan also draws there but is an each way hope in one of the night’s more competitive heats.
Don Hugo looks hard to stop in the opening heat having powered back into winning form in round two of the series, leading and drawing away to score by 9m.
He draws wide but was only second-up on Wednesday so expect he has more improvement to come.
Don Hugo has recorded two wins and a placing in three starts at this circuit and distance, winning the Eureka the last time he attempted it and he has the speed to push forward again so can double up.
Jimartee has been consistent without winning this time in, continuing that trend when fourth in the first two rounds of the series. He draws on the pegs so can be in the finish again.
District Attorney was back to something like his best when he chased Don Hugo as runner-up at Bathurst. He is aided by another low draw and he won his lone attempt at this distance so the step up suits.
A gear malfunction brought about the undoing of Minstrel when he galloped out of contention as a hot favourite at Bathurst but he can get back on track in the night’s other pacing heat.
Minstrel had looked a real series contender when winning his opening heat at Newcastle and won the WA Cup over 2536m three back so tonight’s longer distance should suit him.
He draws on the back row but has the talent to overcome that.
Nerano showed what he is capable of when he stalked the leader before unleashing a devastating sprint to win his Bathurst heat.
He cops a wide draw but strikes at 50 per cent at this circuit and distance so could stamp his mark on the series now.
Dangerous has been the find of the series so far, placing in both rounds. He came from a similar draw to this when third at Newcastle so must be respected.
The Locomotive and Queen Elida have emerged at the standouts in the trotters series and both get the chance to go through the heats undefeated when they head to Menangle.
The Locomotive’s margin on his rivals may have been dwindling when they hit the line at Bathurst but he had the race won a long way out.
That extended his winning streak to six and he has led from one spot wider in both rounds so should push forward again. He is unbeaten in four attempts at the circuit and distance so is hard to tip against.
Keayang Chucky broke when well fancied in his Bathurst heat but had been racing consistently before that, placing behind The Locomotive when off the second line in the opening round.
He draws inside The Locomotive and if he gets it right could challenge.
Plymouth Chubb is going well, coming from the back row to place in both rounds so far. He draws out but expect him to be competitive again.
Queen Elida put 7m on them at Bathurst to prove she is back to her brilliant best and she has yet to miss a place in four attempts at this circuit, winning two of them.
She has led from wider in both rounds so can dominate again from this draw.
Royal Dan has performed well from the back row in both rounds of the series, placing at Newcastle and finishing less than 7m away at Bathurst. He won his lone attempt at this circuit and distance and is well served by the ace draw.
The series has been a disaster for London To A Brick so far, galloping in both of his heats. There’s no doubt he has the talent and he gets one last chance to show it.
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