By Adam Hamilton
IT was an Inter Dominion of history and milestones.
Trainer David Aiken, 56, who has dreamed of winning an Inter Dominion since he was an eight-year-old kid, finally claimed the sport’s biggest prize with Lennytheshark.
Champion driver Chris Alford celebrated 20 years since his first and only previous Inter Dominion win – with Golden Reign in Christchurch in 1995.
Owner Kevin Riseley, who’s involvement in the sport dates back to the halcyon days of Vinny Knight and the early stages of Barry Purdon’s career, also won his first Inter Dominion.
And Perth, the city which hosted the first ever Inter Dominion in 1936, held its first daylight final.
But the real star of the show the horse himself, Lennytheshark.
Only great horses completely own major races, do all the work and win. That’s just what Lennytheshark did in Sunday’s $A1.3 million final at Gloucester Park.
“He’s a great horse. I had so much faith in him going into the series and my confidence grew as he thrived through the heats,” Alford said.
“It looked on paper as though we’d have to sit parked to win, but I was confident he could do it.
“It was a matter of not letting anything get around me and then picking the times to put the pressure on the leader (Lovers Delight).
“I blame myself for being beaten in the heat (by Lovers Delight). I let him get it too easy early.”
Some said the pace was moderate in the early stages, but the times told a different story.
Lennytheshark’s 1min54.8sec mile rate was just 0.1sec outside Im Themightyquinn’s track record.
And Lenny did it parked while Im Themightyquinn sat off a hot pace and stormed home over his rivals.
The real heat went into the race from the 1200-800m in a 28.8sec split. Lenny and Lovers Delight then went together down the back in a 27.4sec split before still finishing-off in 28.4sec.
It evident a long way from the two leaders were the only winning hopes.
“Lovers Delight went super, but he couldn’t pinch the break on me around the bend he did in the heat and Lenny handled the last bend better,” Alford said.
“Once we straightened up I knew I’d get him.”
Lennytheshark raced clear to win by 4.8sec from a very gallant Lovers Delight with last season’s Sydney Inter Dominion runner-up Flaming Flutter sitting behind the leader and battling into third.
The other eye-catching run of the race came from star Queensland veteran Avonnova, who somehow ran fourth,
Avonnova tried to push forward early to challenge Lenny for the “death” seat, but then had to snag back to last and go for inside runs.
He was blocked for a run on the home bend and then charged home to be beaten just 8.3m.
The major disappointments were Waylade, Philadelphia Man and Devendra.
Waylade sat one-one, was under pressure with a lap to go and wilted to run seventh.
“He pulled up distressed, He was still heaving two races later,” driver Gary Hall Jr said.
Philadelphia Man again paced roughly at times and gave nothing when asked. He pulled-up lame.
Devendra was snagged back from a wide front draw and never gave a yelp.
“In hindsight I should’ve gone forward,” trainer-driver James Rattray said. “Once we were last and they were running those times for the last 1200m, it was hopeless.”
Both Devendra and Avonnova are staying in Perth for the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups next month.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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