One of Australasian harness racing’s biggest events will reach an exciting conclusion on Saturday night with the Inter Dominion finals at Menangle.
Eureka winner Don Hugo gets the right draw to land another big payday in the pacers final while The Locomotive (pictured) will be shooting to complete a clean sweep of the trotters series.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday December 14
Race 1: LIVAMOL TONY TURNBULL INTER DOMINION YOUNG DRIVERS HEAT
Accomplished Kiwi TACT MCLEOD (4) tries to salvage something from his Australian trip after he was withdrawn from the Inter Dominion series. Has been racing against the topliners in NZ this season, winning the G2 Canterbury Classic and finishing fifth at G1 level last start. If he has come through his setback without any lingering issues he’ll be tough to stop. Former WA pacer ARMA EINSTEIN (3) is an interesting runner, making his first appearance since switching to Jason Grimson. Placed at Gloucester Park when last seen in September and was readied with two nice trials, winning the latest. A good draw should see him kick off with a strong showing. SOUTH COAST ARDEN (7) is two from two this time in. Draws wider than when he scored at Listed level here last time but had kicked off his campaign with a Bathurst win from a similar draw to this. SERG BLANCO (10) only missed by a nose when off a similar draw last week. Must respect.
Race 2: ULTRA AIR STEVE TURNBULL CHRISTMAS GIFT FINAL
WASA HEAT SEEKER (5) made a winning start in Sydney where he had enough gate speed to lead from a wider draw than this before going on to salute by more than 6m at this circuit and distance. Has only been beaten once in seven starts since switching from WA and was a Listed winner in Brisbane two back. He looks bound for better things. Former Kiwi IM THE FALCON (3) made the ideal start in Australia, delivering by 2.4m as a hot favourite at this venue and distance. Looks progressive and draws inside the top pick. That sets up a great clash. ROCKNROLL HAMMER (11) draws deep but he is talented and could be ready to deliver after seconds in both starts since a spell. HY POACTIVE (8) draws wider than when he led for second last time but saluted from a deeper barrier here two back so can make an impact.
Race 3: TAB INTER DOMINION PACERS CONSOLATION
The performances of CANTFINDABETTORMAN (4) have fallen away as the series has progressed but he came into it in red hot form and looked terrific in winning his opening heat when he worked to the front from this barrier. He may not have handled the quick back-ups since so the full week off should have done him the world of good. Won this race last year and could do it again. WA visitor TENZING BROMAC (13) hasn’t lived up to expectations through the series but has had to do it tough a couple of times. Expecting much more tonight. DON LOU (5) has been disappointing through the series but his first four outings of the campaign produced two wins and two placings at this circuit so he is capable of much better. No surprise to see him produce it tonight. NYACK (9) has been ticking along solidly through the series, clocking in fourth from this barrier last week. The inside draw brings I BREAK THE LINE (1) into contention.
Race 4: SLINGSBY HOLDINGS BRIAN HANCOCK CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
BAINBRIDGE (6) has returned in terrific order, overcoming a wide barrier in a first-up win then leading and dominating when scoring by 9m last time. Building a strong record at this circuit and distance and should be at his peak third up so looks a big chance to land the hat trick. MIKI PINS (9) is two from two at this circuit and distance since switching to the Grimson yard, last time racing three wide without cover but proving too good by 5m. Draws a couple of spots wider but is on the up. KEAYANG WASABI (4) is building a good strike rate and made it two wins in a row when leading to score well here last time. Can push forward again so is a big chance to land the hat trick. RAKERO ICE (8) is three from three since arriving from NZ, scoring from this same draw here last time. Must rate highly.
Race 5: TAB INTER DOMINION TROTTERS FINAL (TROTTING MASTERS) (GROUP 1)
THE LOCOMOTIVE (4) has been unstoppable of late, going through the heats of this series undefeated to take his winning streak to seven. Lifted when he needed to last week and that victory stretched his perfect record at the circuit and distance to five. Has led from similar draws to this in each of his heat wins and he is expected to find that spot again. Hard to tip against him. KEAYANG CHUCKY (3) has performed strongly the two times he has trotted cleanly in the series and did push The Locomotive last week. Draws inside that rival again and seems to be peaking at the right time so could well make a race of it. QUEEN ELIDA (5) had her bid for a series clean sweep thwarted when gunned down last week but her first two heat wins were full of merit. Quality mare who could bounce back. A tough run of draws continues for PLYMOUTH CHUBB (11) but he is going well enough to play a role with some luck. PARISIAN ARTISTE (12) draws on the back row but is in winning form at the right time.
Race 6: TAB INTER DOMINION PACERS FINAL (GRAND CIRCUIT EVENT) (GROUP 1)
There is a sense of timing about DON HUGO (3). He has progressed beautifully through the series, improving off his resuming fifth in round one to win his next two heats. Impressed last week when he worked to find the front before zipping home. That took his record at this circuit and distance to three from four, including his Eureka triumph. Peaking and should get his chance from this draw. MINSTREL (11) has had a rollercoaster series but showed his talent in an opening heat win and was brave when racing parked from a similar barrier to go under by a head last week. He is tough and that could prove a crucial attribute. DANGEROUS (2) has been the discovery of the series, placing in his first two heats and beating Minstrel last week. The draw gives him every chance to be in the finish. CAPTAINS KNOCK (9) may need luck from this draw but he has been thriving on racing and has won from the back row in this series. Evergreen MAX DELIGHT (10) can get into the finish with a touch of luck.
Race 7: THE RUBY VALE PACE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY (1) performed below his best through the Inter Dominion series but did show a glimpse of his talent when second to Don Hugo in round two. Well beaten last time but had to work hard when trapped wide. Draws on the pegs so should enjoy better favours. Gets his chance to bounce back. STAR MAJOR (2) didn’t show up through the Inter Dominion heats but he was drawn wide in the last two. This looks a more suitable assignment and a good draw brings him right into contention. ZEUSS BROMAC (4) went into the ID series in good form, placing from wide barriers the last two times he raced here. He can record a better result tonight. HELLUVA (3) draws to play a role.
Race 8: CARLTON DRAUGHT MARES FFA
Victorian ISTHISJUSTFANTASY (7) made a successful switch to Sydney last start, settling back from the outside barrier but coming with a sustained run for a win at Listed level. There was plenty to like about that performance and it saw her unbeaten at this distance. Big chance to back that up. ILLAVABUBBLES (8) has had four weeks off since she returned to winning form here last start, taking out the Sue Kelly Stakes. That took her strike rate at this circuit and distance to 50 per cent. Strong claims. TAY TAY (9) has performed below market expectations at her last couple but she can be brilliant when on her game. No surprise to see her roar back into winning form. PANDAIA (4) claimed some good scalps when she won in Brisbane last campaign. Readied with two nice trials and hasn’t missed a place when fresh so she is worth including.
BEST BETS:
Race 1 #4 Tact McLeod – His best NZ form would see him hard to stop.
Race 8 #7 Isthisjustfantasy – Impressed here last time, can back that up.
