Kiwi star Majestic Man showed some encouraging signs when he improved and booked his spot in the Inter Dominion final with a fourth in his final round heat at Newcastle last night.
Driven very conservatively under the circumstances by Anthony Butt, Majestic Man made good late ground in a farcically run race where the leader and winner, Maori Law, ripped home in 27.1sec.
Majestic Man ran his closing quarter in 26.9sec and was beaten just 9.1m into fourth spot after coming from three-back on the outside in a race where Maori Law ran his middle half in a dawdling 65.1sec.
“I was very happy with him tonight,” Butt said.
Maori Law added some more Kiwi flavour, booking his spot in the final for father and son, Richard and Emmett Brosnan.
Mighty mare Pink Galahs again had to sit parked, just as she did on nights one and two, and ran a fantastic second.
Caligula qualified for the final with a sound third, while Humble Ladd recovered after an early gallop and his seventh placing just got him through to the final.
The story of the series so far is The Penny Drops, who came out of a one-one trail to win his heat last night and is now $4 favourite for the final.
He’s a tough stayer trained by 66-year-old Ray Harvey, who has just two horses in work and has trained only 22 career winners, of which The Penny Drops has delivered seven of them.
“He’s right on target. It was nice to be able to give him a good hitout tonight, he won well,” driver Grant Campbell said.
Asked how The Penny Drops will enjoy the 3009m of the final, Campbell laughed and said: “It might not be far enough. No, he’ll really relish it. He sat in the death over 3200m at Kilmore and was just warming up at the finish.”
Just Believe trailed the leader, Illawong Stardust (fourth), for a good second, while Kyvalley Chief ran home well from a soft pegs run for third.
Lotamuscle was the eye-catcher, being held-up until too late and flashing home for fifth.
Trainer Matty Craven confirmed he will drive Pink Galahs in the final with Sofia Arvidsson aboard Lotamuscle.
The barrier draws for both finals at 9.30pm NZ time tonight (Monday).
Inter Dominion Trotting Final Field :
Timothy Red, Lotamuscle, Majestic Man, Pink Galahs, The Penny Drops, Maori Law, Just Believe, Kyvalley Chief, Illawong Stardust, Tough Monarch, Caligula, Humble Ladd. One Majic Kenny (emerg)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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