By Adam Hamilton
NEW Zealand’s best Inter Dominion pacing hope Cruz Bromac could be favourite for the final after the first round of heats.
That’s because the recent addition to the All Stars’ barn is drawn to lead and win his opening round heat, while current final favourite Tiger Tara faces a much bigger challenge.
Cruz Bromac was quickly backed from $1.50 to $1.35 on the Aussie TAB after drawing gate four in the third of Saturday night’s 2240m heats at Melton.
Most expect he will roll to the front from former stablemate Cash N Flow (gate one) and that will be the end of the race.
The current final market has Tiger Tara $4.50 and Cruz Bromac at $5 with San Carlo the next best at $6.
Adding to Cruz Bromac’s great draw is the fact his main danger in the heat, Let It Ride, has drawn awkwardly inside the back row (gate eight).
Tiger Tara’s heat is the most fascinating of the three in the pacing series on night one.
On face value he’s drawn well in gate four, but it’s not as good as it looks with fast beginners and key runners My Alpha Rock (one) and Wrappers Delight (two) inside him.
My Alpha Rock’s trainer Shane Tritton has declared the plan to “keep the front if we can hold them at the start.”
Tritton said My Alpha Rock was primed, loved to lead and was suited in front over 2240m around a track like Melton.
“I think he’ll win if he leads,” Tritton boomed. “I can’t see anything sitting outside him and beating him, put it that way.”
Wrappers Delight is sure to have a crack for the front early, while Tiger Tara will want to get outside the leader, but it might take quite some work.
The smokey could be another Kiwi, Im Pats Delight, who has gate nine (two out on the back row) and should follow through well behind Wrappers Delight and land in a good midfield trail for driver Gavin Lang.
The draw for the second heat was cruel to Victoria’s two best Grand Final hopes – San Carlo (gate 10) and Shadow Sax (12) – who both landed the back row.
Tritton’s former Kiwi pacer Franco Nelson is a $2.30 favourite from gate two, but it will be fascinating where he lands early because Mach Doro (gate one) will lead early and decide who, if anything, he takes a trail on.
Improving NSW pacer Ellmers Image (gate three) and classy WA raider Galactic Star (four) also have definite claims.
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THE two big guns of the trotting series – Speeding Spur and Tornado Valley – dominate betting in their respective heats on Saturday night.
Speeding Spur ($1.35 on the Aussie TAB) gate two, should find the front and looks a class above his rivals, which include fellow Kiwi Monty Python (gate five).
Tornado Valley was quickly backed from $1.70 into $1.50 in the other heat from gate six, but he does have speed on his inside with Wilmas Mate (one) and Tough Monarch (two).
Evergreen Kyvalley Blur drew gate 11, while Kiwi trotter Alderbeck has barrier four.
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CHAMPION Canadian driver Jody Jamieson has already landed a couple of Inter Dominion drives.
Jamieson has been booked for exciting trotter Maori Law through the whole series, while Team Tritton has him aboard veteran pacer Yayas Hot Spot in the first pacing heat on Saturday night.
In response to Maori Law’s gate six, Jamieson tweeted: “Barrier six!!! Let’s do this. #wishmeluck”
Jamieson is in Victoria for the whole series and will also be the key note speaker at the Harness Racing Australia National Conference on December 14.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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