By Adam Hamilton
Finally the two Kiwi raiders had some luck in the Perth Inter Dominion barrier draws.
Mark Purdon’s Smolda and Dexter Dunn’s Franco Nelson will both start from gate three in their respective final round qualifying heats at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Franco Nelson is precariously placed on the points table in 11th spot with just 15 points so far. Only 10 horses make the $1.1 million Grand Final on Friday week.
Although he’s drawn well for Friday night, the bad news is he has defending champion Lennytheshark on his inside from gate one and noted explosive beginner Bettors Fire in gate two.
So Franco Nelson is no hope of leading and will need luck to finish top three, which he will almost certainly need to do to have any hope of making the final.
Smolda is far better placed in equal fourth spot on the points table.
And Smolda has drawn by far the weakest heat of the entire series so far on Friday night with the two main rivals Bling It On (gate six) and Beaudiene Boaz (seven) both drawn wide.
As long as Smolda has come through his first two tough heat runs well, he looks a star bet on Friday from gate three.
He has outsiders Simply Susational (gate one) and Our Jericho (two) on his inside and looks likely to press forward and find the lead.
Back to the Franco Nelson heat and the big talking point will be whether Bettors Fire has any chance of crossing Lennytheshark at the start.
It would seem unlikely and the great draw is just what Lennytheshark needed after a tough, unplaced run at Bunbury last night (Tuesday).
The other key runner in that heat is impressive Bunbury winner Run Oneover, who will need luck from a wide draw (gate eight).
Grand Final favourite Hectorjayjay also faces an interesting test to remain unbeaten in the series from gate five on Friday night.
His main rival will be the “find of the series”, John Of Arc, who has the pole after massive placings on the first two nights.
Hectorjayjay may well have the explosiveness to blast across John Of Arc at the start and it will be interesting to see if driver Josh Aiken wants to unleash him at the start again.
The field for the final will be decided after Friday night with the all-important barrier draw held on Sunday.
The latest Aussie TAB market for the final has Hectorjayjay at $2,50 from Lennytheshark ($3.20) then Bling It On, John Of Arc, Run Oneover and Smolda all at $12.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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