Ladies In Red not going to Inter Dominions

CHAMPION harness racing mare Ladies In Red (Mach Three) is out of next month’s Brisbane Inter Dominion.

As breathtaking as the five-year-old was winning last night’s Group 1 Queen of the Pacific, Ladies In Red will stick to racing her own sex, at least for the rest of this year.

Speculation built around the Inter Dominion in the moments after she smashed the clock and some elite opposition in Victoria’s biggest mares’ race.

It was the defining moment of her stellar career, especially after 11 months sidelined with injury.

The win took Ladies In Red past $1mil in earnings and her record to a staggering 30 starts for 24 wins and six seconds.

“No, she won’t be going to the Inter Dominion. Bill and Anne aren’t keen, and I understand that,” trainer Emma Stewart said.

“The plan was always to stick to racing the mares this campaign and then look at the bigger races early next year.”

Ladies In Red has taken on the boys just once when she smashed a hot field – including Leap To Fame – in the Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park in July last year.

Her next obvious option is the Breeders Crown Mares’ free-for-all at Melton on November 25.

Beyond that, races like the Ballarat and Hunter Cups, along with the Miracle Mile, earlier next year must be on the radar.

Stewart also revealed Hunter Cup winner Honolua Bay would also miss the Inter Dominion with ongoing hoof issues.

What shaped up as a powerhouse raid on Brisbane is thinning out quickly for Australia’s leading stable.

“Mach Dan is definite, but I’m not 100 percent sure what else will go up yet,” Stewart said.

Victoria Cup winner Act Now, TAB Eureka winner Encipher and last night’s Queen of the Pacific third-placegetter Amore Vita must also be in consideration.

Meanwhile, Australia’s lone Group 1 NZ Cup hopeful, Swayzee was scheduled to fly across to NZ today to prepare for Tuesday week’s feature.

Trainer Jason Grimson and driver Cam Hart will be looking to go one better than their second placing with Majestic Cruiser last year.

Swayzee, who will be having his first standing start, is into $3.50 second favourite behind local star Akuta ($2.50) in a race lacking depth.

The barrier draw is out on Wednesday.

Swayzee will then return home to tackle the Brisbane Inter Dominion.

Inter Dominion favourite and local hero, Leap To Fame missed a place for just the second time in his career at Albion Park last night, but trainer-driver Grant Dixon wasn’t fazed.

A horror draw and lack of racing room saw Leap To Fame flash home from an impossible position four back on the inside to finish a close fourth.

Leap To Fame will get his chance to bounce back in next Saturday night’s $50,000 Group 2 Queensland Cup (2138m) at Albion Park.

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia