By Adam Hamilton
SURE it’s New Zealand Cup week, but there is a must-watch race back in Aussie this week.
Friday night’s Group 2 Smoken Up at Melton will be the last lead-up race for many Perth Inter Dominion hopefuls.
Leading the field will be current $4 Inter Dominion favourite Lennytheshark.
His rivals are likely to include: Avonnova, Our Hi Jinx, Mach Alert, Mach Beauty, Flaming Flutter, Keayang Cullen, Keayang Steamer and maybe even the emerging Yankee Rockstar.
“It will be stronger than an Inter Dominion heat,” Lennytheshark’s part-owner Martin Riseley said.
“It’s going to be some sort of race, so much depth, but that’s great. I think most of us would welcome a good, strong hitout before heading to Perth.”
The reason the race is so strong is the fact the plane taking most of the eastern states Inter Dominion hopefuls to Perth leaves from Melbourne on Sunday.
Mach Beauty’s trainer Shane Tritton said Harness Racing Victoria should seize the timeslot for the next two years – while Perth hosts the Inter Dominion – and move one its Group 1 races.
“Wouldn’t it make sense if there was a Group 1 Cranbourne or Ballarat Cup this week … the quality is certainly there,” he said.
Tritton expects Mach Beauty, who returned to winning form, to run a mighty race this week. “Give him the right draw and he’ll lead and be very hard to beat,” he said.
“He’s got back to his best at his past two runs and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“I’m looking forward to this week, but even more so to Perth because his gate speed will be such a big weapon on the small track (Gloucester Park).” The field for the Smoken Up comes out midway through tomorrow’s huge NZ Cup Day.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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