Stewart ready for Group One assault

Two months ago leading Victorian harness racing trainer Emma Stewart had three of the top six contenders for Sunday’s Inter Dominion.

As a result of various unforeseen circumstances, Stewart is without a starter in the TAB.com.au sponsored event, but is still destined to play a major role at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

Stewart, who prepares her team with partner Clayton Tonkin, will contest four Group Ones, with outstanding filly Delight Me heading the squad.

Unbeaten from five starts this season, Delight Me has drawn to extend her winning sequence in the New South Wales Oaks.

A stylish winner of her heat, the exceptionally-bred filly will begin from the pole for master reinsman Gavin Lang.

“We are very pleased with her progress this season and she is going to be very hard to beat again from the pole,” Stewart said. “It is a pretty strong field, but there is no doubt she is up to this.”

Stewart also has handy youngster Lovelist engaged in the classic, with the daughter of Always A Virgin drawn barrier four, but will slot into three with the removal of the emergency.

“She was solid when third in her heat and will perform well again,” Stewart said.

Stewart will then contest the Ladyship Mile with Lovelist’s ‘niece’, Beauty Secret, which has also drawn four, but will begin from three.

Racing in her typical strong form, Beauty Secret faces a daunting task against star mares Frith and Adore Me.

Local idol Frith will begin from the pole, with New Zealand darling, Adore Me, to come the outside of the front row.

“This would have to be one of the strongest Ladyship Miles for some time,” Stewart said. “With a bit of luck the speed will be on from the outset and we will get a final crack at them.”

Ideal For Real will then tackle the New South Wales Derby as Stewart aims for consecutive wins in the Blue Riband.

Stewart captured last year’s edition with Major Secret – a half-brother to Beauty Secret.

Triumphant in his heat, Ideal For Real will need more than his share of luck from gate nine.

On the other side of the scale, Hug The Wind, which won his heat, will begin from the pole.

“The draw makes it tough, but he is racing well enough to overcome it,” Stewart said. “He’ll need a bit of luck, but if breaks go his way he is going to be very hard to beat.”

Exciting pacer Yankee Rockstar will then take his place in the Chariots Of Fire, a feature Stewart won last season with Guaranteed.

Yankee Rockstar has won seven of his eight starts for the term, with his only defeat coming at Menangle when third behind Bling It On, which is the favourite once again.

A member of the Belinda McCarthy stable, Bling It On has drawn to lead throughout from barrier three.

“The draw has made it tough on Yankee Rockstar as well, but he is still in with a chance,” Stewart said. “He’s also going to need a few things go his way, but he is more than capable of taking it out.”

• PAUL COURTS