08 July 2015
IT is the middle of winter, but there is an Inter Dominion flavour to Friday night’s Melton meeting.
That’s because this season’s surprise Inter Dominion runner-up Flaming Flutter and another possible Perth Inter Dominion contender, Philadelphia Man, have an expected clash.
Both at first-up from spells and connections have expressed strong interest in chasing the sport’s biggest prize at Gloucester Park in November/December.
In Flaming Flutter’s case, this will be his first run since producing by far the best performance of his career when second to Beautide in the Menangle Inter Dominion back on March 1.
Trainer Geoff Webster said he’s always felt Flaming Flutter had “elite” potential and his last campaign, particularly that Inter Dominion run, showed it.
“He’d had a long campaign we decided to give him a good break after that,” he said.
“He’s just taken that next step each campaign, which is a credit given he’s had a few issues along the way, especially as a younger horse.
“He’s had a good foundation for his return, but it is a starting point, so he’ll obviously be improved a lot by the run.”
Webster said Perth was an obvious target.
“He’s about to turn six and is fully mature. He’s had that last full campaign in the good races, which was really good grounding. This really should be his best season,” he said.
“We’re headed towards Perth as long as he shows us the sort of form we hope when it gets closer.”
The Emma Stewart-trained Philadelphia Man returns from an even longer break. His last run was a well below par 10th in the Hunter Cup back on February 7.
The run prompted Stewart to abandon Sydney Inter Dominion plans.
“His form was so good through most of last campaign, but things went wrong towards the end so we put him out,” Stewart said.
“He had comeback from more than two years out, so another break has been good for him.
“He’s pleased us at the trials this time back and is ready to run well this week.”
Philadelphia Man has assumed the “stable star” mantle for Stewart with the unfortunate injury setback to Guaranteed, which has ruled him out of the Perth Inter Dominion and probably the Victoria and Hunter Cups as well.
Back to Webster’s stable and he has another interesting runner at Melton on Friday in former exciting NSW youngster Allblack Stride.
The rising five-year-old, who won nine of his 16 runs for Luke and Belinda McCarthy, was switched to Webster’s care a few months back.
The son of Christian Cullen raced a little keen at times, but still easily won his first run for Webster at Geelong on July 1 in a sharp 1min58.5sec mile rate for 2100m.
The win qualified him for the Cogs Pace Final (2240m), which is race nine at Melton on Friday night.
Story supplied by Harness Racing New Zealand INC
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