The Inter Dominion series heads to Menangle on Saturday night for the third round of heats and the final chance for contenders to earn their place in next week’s finals.
In the pacers’ division, round two heat winner Don Hugo (pictured) returns to Menangle for the first time since his Eureka win and WA visitor Minstrel will seek to get his series back on track after a gear failure thwarted his hopes last start, while top trotters The Locomotive and Queen Elida will both be chasing a clean sweep of the heats in their series.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday December 7
Race 1: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
WHISKEY CAVALIER (1) found winning form again last week, getting home by close to 6m to continue a string of top-three finishes. He missed the start there after breaking in the score-up so will need a better getaway from the inside draw but owns a good record at this longer distance. SERG BLANCO (9) hasn’t been far from the placings in two Melton outings since a third to Swayzee in the Cherry City Cup at Young. Was runner-up from a similar draw the only time he raced here earlier in his preparation. Strong claims. KOSIMO (6) kept chasing for fourth here last week and the prior Victorian form was sound including a Melton placing three back. SAINT VERAN (7) brings decent form from Brisbane including a placing at Albion Park after working two back. A lower draw could see MAJOR MAJOR (4) show more.
Race 2: TAB INTER DOMINION PACING CHAMPIONSHIP (THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 7)
DON HUGO (7) powered back into winning form in round two of this series, leading and drawing away to score by 9m. Draws wide but he was only second-up on Wednesday so expect he has more improvement to come. Has recorded two wins and a placing in three starts at this circuit and distance, winning the Eureka the last time he attempted it. Has the speed to push to push forward again so can double up. JIMARTEE (1) has been consistent without winning this time in, continuing that trend when fourth in the first two rounds of the series. Draws on the pegs and can be in the finish. DISTRICT ATTORNEY (3) was back to something like his best when he chased Don Hugo as runner-up at Bathurst. Aided by another low draw and he won his lone attempt at this distance so the step up suits. TENZING BROMAC (2) has been a touch disappointing through the series so far but the good draw gives him one last chance to make an impact.
Race 3: TAB INTER DOMINION PACING CHAMPIONSHIP (THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 8)
A gear malfunction brought about the undoing of MINSTREL (10) when he galloped out of contention as a hot favourite in round two but he had looked a real series contender when winning his opening heat at Newcastle. He won the WA Cup over 2536m three back so tonight’s longer distance should suit him. Draws on the back row but has the talent to overcome that and get his series back on track. NERANO (8) showed what he is capable of when he stalked the leader before unleashing a devastating sprint to win his Bathurst heat. 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 (6) has been the find of the series so far, placing in both rounds. Came from a similar draw to this when third at Newcastle. Must respect. DON LOU (3) hasn’t had a lot go his way in the series so far but draws better and won the last time he raced here three back. TERRY (9) draws for a trail and did well to place at odds in round one. Include.
Race 4: TAB INTER DOMINION PACING CHAMPIONSHIP (THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 9)
CURLY JAMES (1) has copped back row draws in both rounds of the series so far but has performed admirably, chasing for second in his opener and finishing less than 8m away at Bathurst. Had gone into the series with a string of Group placings and won the last time he raced here. Needs big points to ensure his spot in the final and gets every chance from this draw. CANTFINDABETTORMAN (3) drew the back row and covered ground when midfield at Bathurst but was very impressive in his opening heat win. Has yet to miss a place at this circuit and distance and a good draw can see him bounce back. CAPTAINS KNOCK (7) leads the series points table having followed his opening heat win with a placing at Bathurst, coming from the back line both times. Draws wide but only needs to hold his form to be in the finish again. The ever-reliable MAX DELIGHT (11) has been sound in both rounds and should feature again despite the second row barrier while MACH DAN (10) also draws there but is an each way hope.
Race 5: TAB INTER DOMINION TROTTING CHAMPIONSHIP (THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 5)
The winning margin of THE LOCOMOTIVE (3) may not have been huge in the latest round of the series 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 this circuit and distance so is hard to tip against. KEAYANG CHUCKY (2) broke when well fancied in his Bathurst heat but had been racing consistently before that, placing from the second line in the opening round. Draws inside The Locomotive and if he gets it right could challenge. PLYMOUTH CHUBB (7) is going well, coming from the back row to place in both rounds so far. Draws out but expect him to be competitive again. ALDEBARAN ZEUS (9) did a much better job when runner-up at Bathurst and has won three of four attempts at this circuit while it wouldn’t surprise to see a better showing from last year’s Inter Dominion runner-up MUFASA METRO (4).
Race 6: TAB INTER DOMINION TROTTING CHAMPIONSHIP (THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND HEAT 6)
QUEEN ELIDA (2) is back to her brilliant best having won both rounds of the series, leading from wider draws each time. Put 7m on them at Bathurst and she has yet to miss a place in four attempts at this circuit, winning two of them. She can dominate again from this draw and complete a clean sweep of the heats. ROYAL DAN (1) has performed well from the back row in both rounds of the series, placing at Newcastle and finishing less than 7m away at Bathurst. 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 (4) 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. PARISIAN ARTISTE (3) broke last start but placed from a similar barrier in round one so could bounce back. ALDEBARAN VERA (5) is consistent and can be competitive again.
Race 7: ASPIRE EDUCATION & CARE WARATAH FINAL
IM ALRITE (1) was brave in victory in his latest outing at Wagga when he drew deep and raced there wide without cover before scoring by more than a metre. He gets the ace draw tonight and Cameron Hart goes aboard so has winning claims. MAJOR MUCHA (2) has performed well from wide draws in his last two outings at Goulburn, scoring by close to 4m two back before placing in a higher-graded race. He is well served by the low draw. REBOUNDER (9) delivered as favourite in his latest outing at Wagga. Draws a little wider but can measure up. MORESCO (4) led to win from wider at Bathurst last start so has the gate speed to take advantage of the low draw. DEE TERROR (8) draws deeper but there has been plenty of merit in his last two efforts at Wagga.
Race 8: STOCKWELL INTERNATIONAL PACE
MARIA ALLEGONDA (3) raced parked so wasn’t disgraced when midfield in a Listed race for the girls last week and the prior form was strong, recording two wins and a second from her other three starts at this venue this time in. Takes on the boys but is well served by this draw. JORDY (5) has been racing well without winning, adding to a series of top-four finishes when he raced outside the leader from a wider barrier here last week. Strong when second to Swayzee two back. Could strike tonight. DOM TORETTO (7) found winning form last start, taking his record at this circuit and distance two wins and two placings from four attempts. Contender. MAJOR HOT (8) has been struggling to find the form that won him the Queensland Derby over the winter but has yet to miss a place when second-up so could improve.
Race 9: STOCKWELL INTERNATIONAL PACE
MR BONDI (1) was beaten as a hot favourite here last week but raced up to four deep from a much wider draw so that result can be forgiven. Had kicked off his campaign with back-to-back wins in the country and the ace draw can see him return to those winning ways. SPECULATING (9) draws deep but came from a similar barrier when third last time, his third placing from his last four outings here. Going well and can play a role again. CAPTAIN BLOOD (2) has worked his way back into form, putting the writing on the wall with a second two back before scoring by close to 5m here on Tuesday. Up in grade but the lower draw could see him step up. FASHION ICON (4) is a capable pacer who hasn’t raced since May but has been readied with two trials and has won fresh before so could show up.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #7 Don Hugo – Eureka winner who can back up his impressive effort in round two of the Inter Dominion series.
Race 4 #1 Curly James – Needs big points to ensure his place in the ID final and can deliver them from this draw.
