By Adam Hamilton.
GARY Hall Sr can’t wait for the Perth Inter Dominion to start.
Hall Sr is confident he holds the two best local hopes – Waylade and My Hard Copy – in the series, which starts at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And the champion trainer said Victorian star Lennytheshark was the only horse he believed rated above his star pair.
“I’m really, really happy with my two top hopes. I think I’ve timed their runs perfectly judging by how they trialled last weekend,” he said.
“That said, I was mighty impressed with Lennytheshark’s Melton win last time. He won me around.”
Waylade led and went close to Im Themightyquinn’s Byford track record beating My Hard Copy and Victorian visitor Five Star Anvil last Sunday.
“Gee Waylade went good. My Hard Copy made some ground, but was never going to beat him,” he said.
“I clearly lean to Waylade as my best chance. He’s so versatile and still getting better. I still don’t know how good he could be and that’s exciting.”
Waylade is a $1.40 favourite on the Aussie TAB to win Friday night’s first Inter Dominion heat from gate two.
Most think he will run to the lead from gate two with stablemate Machtu drawn the pole.
The other key runners in the opening heat are: Shannonsablast (three), Devendra (four), Our Hi Jinx (eight) and Jason Rulz (10).
My Hard Copy faces a harder task from a tricky gate four in the second heat where his main rival is Lennytheshark (gate seven).
Despite the wide draw, Lennytheshark is a $1.50 favourite with Flaming Flutter ($6, gate two) and My Hard Copy ($8) the next in line.
“My Hard Copy has gate speed and goes well in front, but there is a lot of speed inside him and I’m not sure it’s best for him to fire off the gate this week,” Hall Sr said.
The third heat is by far the most open of the night because of a wide draw (gate six) for star Victorian raider Philadelphia Man.
Blazing beginner Mach Beauty has gate four with local speedster Bettors Fire drawn gate two.
There is a great chance on night one, and because Bettors Fire has been battling some soundness issues, he might be happy to take a sit on Mach Beauty.
Bettors Fire and Mach Beauty share second favouritism at $3.20.
Former Kiwi Franco Ledger has drawn gate nine with classy Queenslander Avonnova in barrier 10.
It is crucial to note the barrier draws have nine across the front and just one runner from the back row.
Here’s the link to Friday night’s opening round Inter Dominion barrier draws:
www.perthinterdominion.com.au/media/inter-dominion-news/heat-night-1-barrier-draws/
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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