05 December 2017 | Alan Parker
The ten starters in the $1.1 million TABtouch Inter Dominion Grand Final on Friday night have won 224 races and $10,746,880 in stakes – an average of $1,074,688 each.
The five millionaires in the field are headed by the 2015 Inter Dominion champion Lennytheshark with $2,872,085 and include dual New Zealand Cup winner Lazarus $2,712,139 and the Southern Hemispheres fastest ever pacer Have Faith In Me which covered the mile in 1:47.5 when winning the 2016 NSW Miracle Mile at Menangle.
Six of the ten runners have already won at Group One level and between them they have amassed an amazing tally of 37 Group One wins headed by Lazarus with 13 wins at the elite level.
When he won the Group Two Inter Dominion heat last Friday night Lazarus brought took his record in Group or Listed Races to 31 starts, 26 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds – never missed a place in his career.
The champion thoroughbred mare Winx has a Group and Listed Race record of 30 starts, 24 wins, 3 seconds and no thirds with three unplaced runs.
There was a time not so many years ago when a time of 1:55 for a mile was seen as sensational in Australia – this year’s field has four horses with a best winning time better than 1:50.
In addition to Have Faith In Me they are Tiger Tara 1:49.8, Lazarus 1:49.0 and Lennytheshark 1:49.2.
Only the Westbred starter Vultan Tin 1:55.9 has a best winning time slower than 1:55.0.
| Horse | Starts | Wins | Stakes | Group One wins |
| Tiger Tara NZ | 78 | 25 | $1,136,930 | 3 |
| Lazarus NZ | 39 | 32 | $2,712,139 | 13 |
| Vultan Tin | 90 | 13 | $200,956 | 0 |
| Soho Tribeca | 46 | 18 | $558,239 | 2 |
| Galactic Star NZ | 39 | 20 | $248,037 | 0 |
| Lennytheshark | 73 | 38 | $2,872,085 | 8 |
| San Carlo | 27 | 21 | $187,048 | 0 |
| Shandale NZ | 47 | 14 | $274,505 | 0 |
| Have Faith In Me NZ | 40 | 16 | $1,444,872 | 7 |
| Chicago Bull NZ | 42 | 27 | $1,112,069 | 4 |
| Totals | 521 | 224 | $10,746,880 | 37 |
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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