NIGHT ONE : TABCORP PARK MELTON
New South Wales and New Zealand were the big winners after the barrier draws for the opening night of the 2018 Inter Dominion Series for both pacers and trotters which commence this Saturday were released earlier in the week.
Three heats for pacers and two for trotters will be held over the next week with horses from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and both islands of New Zealand competing.
PACERS
HEAT ONE: A battle for the lead is eminent with My Alpha Rock (1), Wrappers Delight (2) and Tiger Tara (4) all very fast beginners. Last time in Victoria, My Alpha Rock ran extremely well, running home from a mile back to finish fifth behind Tiger Tara in the Victoria Cup and is a possibility of holding the front running. On the other hand Wrappers Delight has been flying of late and is likely to try and lead. Should he find the front, he will take no end of running down. If one can forget the dismal performance of Tiger Tara in the New Zealand Free For All two weeks back where he worked forward to race exposed before finishing 56.1 metres away in tenth place behind Cruz Bromac after producing what was the “run of the race” to go down by a nose in the NZ Cup, then he must be considered. It will be interesting to see if Todd McCarthy wants to fire him out of the gate. The smokey of the race could be Kiwi Im Pats Delight (9) a past winner of the Harness Jewels. His two most recent outings at Addington during Cup Week were very good after a chequered passage, finishing third on Cup Day to All U Need Is Faith and fourth in the NZ FFA to Cruz Bromac. Kaikoura Cup winner Spankem (5) has to be respected from his awkward draw, while Sydneysider Joes Star Of Mia (11) will need plenty of luck to place as will Mattgregor (12).
HEAT TWO: The draws were not kind to the Victorians with both San Carlo and Shadow Sax, two of the most favoured runners in the series coming up with marbles ten and twelve. Injury plagued old timer Franco Nelson (2) a genuine racehorse who always tries so hard has explosive gate speed and should arrest the lead away from noted sit/sprinter Mach Doro (1) shortly after the start. His effort when fourth in The Victoria Cup two runs back was outstanding. Mach Doro is likely to receive the run of the race before using the sprint lane at the business end and can be dangerous These two appear to have the race to themselves, however there are plenty of other chances depending on the tempo of the race with Ellmers Image (3), Galactic Star (4), Motu Meteor, (5) Italian Delight (7), Village Witch (8), Im The Boss (9), San Carlo (10) and Shadow Sax (12) all looking to earn valuable points.
HEAT THREE: Exciting 5Y0 gelding Cruz Bromac (4) appears to have an edge on his rivals after a most unlucky fourth in the NZ Cup and an all of the way victory in the NZ FFA. Will he lead ? That depends on Luke McCarthy aboard Cash N Flow (1) which was disappointing when third in last week’s Geelong Pacing Cup after taking over racing for the bell. Let It Ride (8) can be dynamic at the end of his races and should he get a lovely trip possibly three back the markers will be right in the finish. Ideal Success (6) is a place hope if able to take up a handy spot, while the same could be said for Conviction (7), Audi Hare (9), Mister Wickham (10) and old timer Maximan (11) who is airborne at present.
TROTTERS
HEAT ONE: Highly favoured Tornado Valley (6) is a very fast beginner and despite drawing wide, may be able to charge to the lead. His record since crossing the Tasman has been outstanding. NSW based Tough Monarch (2) is an in and out customer who can be good on occasions. Should he bring his A game to the track he will be very competitive. Save Our Pennys (3) resumed last Saturday at Geelong when second off a 30 metre backmark to Endsin A Party. Will benefit by the run and is definitely in the mix. Kiwi Alderbeck trained by squaregaiting “maestro” Phil Williamson raced well during the NZ Cup Carnival and can place with luck. Sky Petite (5) a noted sit/sprinter is certainly one of the chances providing she can gain cover. Ryan Duffy may spear her away from the gate to try and lead, before handing over to the favourite. Fabrication (7) last season’s Australasian Trotters Championship winner is another who needs cover to produce his best. His task looks difficult from the draw. Former Victoria Derby winner Wilmas Mate has been just battling with a number of niggling problems, but her last start fifth in the Dominion Handicap was a big improvement. From the pole she should gain a nice passage and is a definite place possibility. Big Jack Hammer (8) is stepping up in grade and is drawn awkwardly. Kowhai Monarch (9) a speedster from NSW is also rising in grade and will need luck from the draw. Kheiron (10) is resuming and faces a task from his unfavourable barrier. Veteran Kyvalley Blur (11) ran a blinder when second in the Dominion and is always a chance in any race he contests. Should they go hard, he will be running home strongly.
HEAT TWO: Logical Championship favourite Speeding Spur (2) is racing in great heart and is coming off a game fourth in the Dominion Handicap last Friday week following a victory in the NZ Trotting FFA on the Tuesday. He looks a certain leader and the one to beat. Highly talented Maori Law (6) will be the testing material, however the awkward draw is not in his favour. Up and comer King Denny (7) has been racing in superb form against lower grade. The dreaded outside front line draw will not assist his chances. Rompers Monarchy (8) was an impressive all the way victor at Melton earlier in the month but is not aided by the inside second line draw. Polemarker Our Twentyten always run an honest race and should receive a soft passage. The Boss Man (3) should be ready to show his best following three runs this time in and can be placed with luck. Monty Python (5) is rising in class and will need things to go his way. Enrolled (4) is racing in great heart, but can be risky at times. Maybe placed if the right run eventuates. Illawong Armstrong (9) can be hard to hold at times which goes against his chances. Should he settle, he can possibly fill a placing. Kingdom Come (10) would need to improve to figure in the placings. Red Hot Tooth (11) is a bonny mare who is taking time to recapture her best form. Best suited up close, the draw has been a disaster for her. She will need everything to go right to finish close up. The same could be said for former Breeders Crown winner Cruisin Around (12) who is gradually racing into form, but faces a formidable task from the extreme draw.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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