By Adam Hamilton
TWO nights down and only two horses remain unbeaten in the Perth Inter Dominion series.
Star Victorian pair Lennytheshark and Philadelphia Man both impressed again at Bunbury on Tuesday night and justifiably dominate betting for Sunday week’s $A1.3 million final at Gloucester Park.
While Lennytheshark clearly stole the show on night one at Gloucester Park, Philadelphia Man looked at least as impressive at Lenny at Bunbury.
“He’s right where I want him,” Philadelphia Man’s driver Gavin Lang said. “He struggled a bit when I was shoved wide on the home turn, but gee he knuckled down well late.
“I’ve been really pleased with both his wins and if he holds this form through the next two runs he’s going to be very hard to beat in the final.”
Just as he did last Friday, Philadelphia Man benefitted from not being part of an early speed burn in his heat.
At Bunbury, opening night winner Devendra sizzled out of the gate but tried unsuccessfully for 400m to get the lead from outsider Mach Alert in a 26.3sec opening quarter of the mile.
That cooked the pair with Mach Alert dropping out to run last, but Devendra fighting on gamely for fifth.
Lang sat back at long as possible while John McCarthy made an early move to sit parked on Blazin N Cullen.
McCarthy pinched a break on the home turn when Philadelphia Man was forced deep, but as soon as Lang balanced his horse up the race was over.
Philadelphia Man drew clear to win by an increasing 1.3m in a 1min54.2sec mile from an eye-catching Blazin N Cullen with Flaming Flutter running a much-improved third.
Lennytheshark, who came with one long run from back in the field on opening night, showed his versatility to sit parked and win at Bunbury.
“It’s not what I planned, but he was outside the leader, relaxed well and I thought he might get shuffled back if I took a sit,” driver Chris Alford said.
“He wobbled and loafed a bit on the home turn, but when he switched on again he won it really well.
“That’s just him. He might not always look impressive but he feels it. He felt awesome last night.”
Lennytheshark ran much quicker than Philadelphia Man with a 1min52.8sec mile.
“So far so good. Everything is right on target and he seems to be handling it all really well,” trainer David Aiken said.
Shane Tritton’s speedster Easy On The Eye led and ran a much-improved for second to Lennytheshark while Lovers Delight was extraordinary in third after being three-wide without cover for the entire race.
Jason Rulz appeared to have his chance in fourth spot, while another local, Waylade, was the hardluck story in fifth after having no racing room late.
Avonnova, who ran a top second to Philadelphia Man on night one, disappointed a Bunbury in sixth spot after having the three-wide trail on Lovers Delight.
Last season’s WA Cup winner My Hard Copy re-emerged as a Grand Final contender by storming home to win the opening heat at Bunbury.
With Mach Beauty setting track record times in front, My Hard Copy settled one-out and two-back and simply packed too much zip late.
The 1min51.6sec mile smashed the track record.
“Nothing went right on the first night so it was crucial he bounced-back tonight. I’m more relieved than anything” driver Clint Hall said.
“He really flashed home when he got going and won pulling away.”
Trainer Gary Hall Sr said: “There’s no doubt he’s a winning hope in the final on that run.”
Emerging Victorian Major Crocker won plenty of fans with a monster run for second after sitting parked in such quick times.
Former Kiwi sit-sprinter Franco Ledger was a hardluck story in third spot.
He was blocked for room in the room home straight prompting driver Anthony Butt to protest unsuccessfully against runner-up Major Crocker.
Mach Beauty wilted late and will now need to win his heat on Friday night to have any possible chance of making the Grand Final.
After Bunbury, Lennytheshark firmed from $2.50 into $2 on the Aussie TAB for the final.
Philadelphia Man remained a $4.50 second favourite from Devendra and Waylade, who both eased from $8 to $10.
My Hard Copy firmed from $21 to $12.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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