Sure Thing Captain repeats Inter Dom heat success.

Local pacer Sure Thing Captain (Captaintreacherous) became the first pacer to qualify for next week’s big final when he led all the way for a stylish win in the fourth heat of the Second round of the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing Championships at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

Harness racing patrons were treated to a sound display of strong front running by Sure Thing Captain.

Turn It Up showed blistering early speed to lead early but driver Adam Sanderson on Sure Thing Captain allowed his horse to settle and then he quickly got into gear to take up the running. There were a number of moves with various runners going around the field most notably Max Delight who was three wide early before racing outside of Sure Thing Captain.

SURE THING CAPTAIN JUL 12 REPLAY

Tims A Trooper didn’t show a great deal of early speed and he was back near the rear of the field.

But as was the case last week Sure Thing Captain ran his first two quarters in a leisurely 30.3 and 29.9 seconds before speeding up to run 26.7 and 27.1 seconds in his final quarters. Once again it made the tasks of those behind him almost impossible.

Max Delight lost no admirers in his performance. He looked beaten on the final bend after his hard run but he just continued to battle away for a game second ahead of Tims A Trooper who came from well back for third.

Pete Said So who finished fourth qualified for next week’s Final and this will be his fourth attempt at the event a remarkable achievement.

Adam Sanderson commented after the event.

“Yes it was good, he got a little keen out of the gate but he relaxed good after that. When he does that he’s pretty good. He was a little bit angry going up to the gate but it was good he came back to me. So I’m really happy with that”.

Trainer Shannon Price discussed his antics after the race.

“He doesn’t like grey horses. So we got him out of here really quick. Adam said he was very settled tonight so hopefully we’ll be right for the 3100 metres next week. Barrier draws will be crucial. But again 3100 metres there’ll be a lot of moves in the race”.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink