By Adam Hamilton
Lennytheshark is the hot Perth Inter Dominion favourite, but champion driver Gavin Lang certainly conceding to him with Philadelphia Man.
Lennytheshark firmed from $3.20 going into night one, but a breathtakingly dominant heat win saw his Grand Final odds slashed to $2.50 with the Aussie TAB.
Philadelphia Man also firmed from $8 into $4.50 after running quicker time, but not having to do as much work as Lennytheshark to win his heat.
“I wouldn’t swap my horse for any other, including Lenny, in the series,” an upbeat Lang said.
“That was a big win the other night. Avonnova is a class horse and hard to get past.
“He’ll benefit from the experience around the track as well. He found it hard work during a few stages when he was out, but then again they were running hard the whole way.”
Philadelphia Man’s 1min53.8sec mile rate for 2130m was just 0.2sec outside David Hercules’ track record set more than two years ago.
The time was set-up when speedsters Lovers Delight, Bettors Fire and Mach Beauty locked horns in a scorching 34.9sec lead time.
Lang eased Philadelphia Man backed from barrier six and came with a three-wide run from the 700m.
Avonnova, who punched through from inside the back row early then came off the inside to sit parked, fought gamely but had to be content with second, beaten 3.3m.
There was another 14m away to a brave Lovers Delight in third spot. Bettors Fire was an encouraging fifth.
Mach Beauty wilted badly for seventh, but trainer Shane Tritton said he “got on his bumpers” which didn’t help his cause.
Back to Philadelphia Man and Lang was thrilled he returned to his best after having “jarring-up issues” during a recent Queensland trip.
“Mick (Munro) has been looking after him and has him very well. He’s such a terrific horse when he’s feeling his best,” Lang said.
Trainer Ian Gurney was buzzing after Avonnova’s big run.
“He did all the work and will be better for the run. He fought it right out when Philadelphia Man came at him,” he said.
Most felt it was Lennytheshark’s stunning opening night win, albeit in the slowest of the three heats at 1min55.6sec, which clearly made him the star of the night.
The David Aiken-trained six-year-old had to a sustain a long three-wide run, but did it comfortably to win by 2.1m over local outsider Our Blackbird.
“He felt awesome again,” driver Chris Alford said. “It was also really pleasing to see how well he handled the track, even when out three-wide by himself.
“He’s had the perfect preparation, is thriving over here and should keep improving.”
The disappointment of the heat was the heavily-backed leader, Flaming Flutter, who dictated in front, but was no match for Lenny and finished 3.9m away in third spot.
The opening heat went to unheralded Tasmanian pacer Devendra, who has firmed from as much as $251 for the final into $9.
Devendra has spent most of his career in Tassie with trainer Barrie Rattray, but was sent to his son, James of Beautide fame, with this series in mind.
Devendra blasted to the lead and found plenty when challenged by local star Waylade to win careering away by 6.7m in a 1min55.1sec mile rate for 2130m.
“He’s a really nice horse this fella. We’ve always thought that and we were thrilled when he just made the cut for the series,” James Rattray said.
“His early speed is a weapon and he loves smalls tracks like Gloucester Park. We’re in it with a chance now.”
Waylade started a $1.60 favourite and sat outside Devendra, but couldn’t go with him in the zip home. He ran second.
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