Will he blast or will he wait?
Young reinsman Josh Aiken faces his biggest decision with star pacer Hectorjayjay ahead of Friday night’s $1.1 million TABTOUCH Inter Dominion Grand Final at Gloucester Park in Perth.
The dynamic speedster has swept the series to date with three scintillating victories in his heats and as a result, he was a clear punters elect pre-barrier draw but things changed dramatically following Sunday’s barrier draw.
Amid some minor confusion, Hectorjayjay was slammed gate 9 – the outside gate in the 2936 mobile start feature.
Naturally, bookies reacted and quickly wound his price back out again while still a clear fancy.
In recent times, favourites have a good record in the Inter Dominion Grand Final including last year’s winner Lennytheshark followed by the likes of Beautide (x 2), Im Themightyquinn, Blacks A Fake (x 3) and Elsu amongst others.
The last pacer to sweep a series was the incomparable Im Themightyquinn back in 2012 and ironically, it was staged at Gloucester Park.
So, can Hectorjayjay add his name to this great list?
The David Aiken prepared gelding is blessed with brilliant gate speed which has been evident throughout the series to date, so the temptation is obvious.
But his two most breathtaking performances since joining Team Aiken have been come from behind victories, the Len Smith Mile at Menangle in Sydney followed by the Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park in Brisbane.
Many still sit in disbelief after he made high quality opposition eat his dust following the electrifying burst of acceleration he displayed on both occasions.
It’s a massive decision for the 23-year-old and his army of loyal followers.
While it remains unclear who is the top seed of the Aiken stable between Hectorjayjay and Lennytheshark, the defending champion faces many other battles before Friday night’s final.
Following his shock loss last week in the last round of qualifying heats, the glamour pacer pulled up noticeably sore and faces an around the clock battle to take his spot in the final.
The most often asked question away from what tactics will be adopted for the favourite is whether Lennytheshark will be fit to take his spot?
Lennytheshark has drawn gate 4.
Leading Perth mentor Gary Hall has a double-edged sword with the richly talented pacers Run Oneover and Beaudiene Boaz representing the stable.
Run Oneover has been hugely impressive winning two of his three heats while the multiple feature race winner Beaudiene Boaz has performed without much luck owing to awkward draws.
On Friday night, Run Oneover will start from gate 2 for Clint Hall while Beaudiene Boaz will start from gate 10, the sole second-line runner for regular reinsman Gary Hall Jnr.
Millionaire pacer Bling It On has flashed his skills during the series including an impressive display at Bunbury coming off the speed to win.
Gun reinsman Luke McCarthy has options after the American Ideal entire landed the inside gate for the final.
An added dimension to this year’s final is the New Zealand interest, classy pacers Smolda and Franco Nelson are set to chase the big prize following some tidy efforts during the qualifying stages.
Smolda, prepared by champion horseman Mark Purdon, will start from gate 7 and looks suited over the staying distance and will relish the couple of extra days rest between starts.
The Robert Dunn trained Franco Nelson went winless through the heats but has drawn nicely and will start from gate 6 in the final.
Local pacers Our Jericho (gate 3), John Of Arc (gate 5) and Bettors Fire (gate 8) have all performed with great distinction throughout the series and will carry plenty of support in the final.
Bettors Fire is considered as the fastest pacer off the gate in his home state and most expect him to make a play for the lead, the Kyle Harper prepared pacer scored an easy victory when leading throughout in the opening round of heats.
The emergency runners are listed as The Bucket List and Our Jimmy Johnstone.
All these questions will be answered on Friday night and another champion will be crowned.
The Inter Dominion is the second leg of the 2016/17 Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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