Harnesslink’s Inter Dominion Finals Previews

After several months of top class racing, harness racing this weekend will focus on the Finals of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion, with the pacers division worth $1 million and the Trotters division $500,000. In addition there will be three other Group 1 events namely the $150,000 Queensland Derby, $150,000 Queensland Oaks and the $150,000 Golden Girl.

Harnesslink’s preview of the big races are as follows:

Race 4 Ladbrokes Queensland Oaks:

Outstanding New Zealand filly Captain’s Mistress is unbeaten at her three Australian appearances and she should be too strong for her opponents. She led all the way to win the Rising Sun Consolation and even from the second row draw appears to have the measure of the field. Soho Americano did a bit of work before leading all the way in the Queensland Oaks Qualifier and if she gets an easy run in front may take catching. Manhattan Chick impressed with a late finishing burst to take out the South East Oaks two weeks ago and she continues to improve. Cool and Classy looks to be the best of the local Queensland hopes.

Race 5 Ladbrokes Queensland Derby:

This is a very open event but from the pole draw Hesitate will take beating if he musters early speed to hold out the field. Luke McCarthy has elected to drive the classy son of Sportswriter while stablemate Mac Bon who is also racing in great form will be handled by Shane Graham. Nearly all the other runners have some claims and star local colt Fate Awaits is ready to run another cracking race after his success in the Group 1 Rising Sun. There is nothing wrong with the form of promising colt Jack’s Ultimate Fury while Seathestars represents good value after winning his last three appearances including the South East Derby at Albion Park two weeks ago.

Race 6 Garrards The Golden Girl:

The race has been robbed of interest following the untimely death of star local mare Chynchilla earlier in the week.

However Eye Keep Smiling who now claims to being the best mare in Australia is going for her tenth win in a row following impeccable form. Last week she had a torrid run but still held on to win a mares race. Luke McCarthy is confident that she will hold out the early lead and over the short distance she should pack too many guns. Classy mare Steno has had no luck being placed in her last seven starts. She has drawn the front row this time but isn’t likely to cross Eye Keep Smiling at the beginning. However if she is saved for a late sprint she will be prominent. TayTay is better than her recent form suggests and may run a better race from the pole held up for a late run.

Race 7 Trotters Inter Dominion Final

Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix is favourite due to his pole draw, he’s been placed in his two Heat performances and is being primed to be ready for the big Final. He’s expected to be in the finish. However New Zealander Bet N Win was super impressive in his two effortless Heat wins. Driver Bob Butt will be pressing for the early lead but no doubt looking to get a breather at some stage over the gruelling 3157 metre distance. Parisian Artiste looked stylish in his all the way Heat success and he too is showing signs of peaking for the Final. Not As Promised and Gus may be the best of the local hopes. Not As Promised showed a lot of fight in running fourth after a hard run in his Heat last week and maybe returning to the form we saw him display as a youngster. Gus can do plenty wrong but his heat placings suggest he ready to strike if he’s on his best behaviour.  The other New Zealander Oscar Bonavena has been well back in his Heats but the stable is confident that he’ll run a super race in the Final.

Race 8 Pacers Inter Dominion Final

This is the race we’ve all been waiting for. And the million dollar question is whether Leap to Fame will continue his outstanding form of late and notch up another Group 1 success and in doing so become Australia’s richest ever pacer. Trainer driver Grant Dixon expressed disappointment at his barrier 1 draw but even so he should be too strong for his rivals. His recent performances have been breath taking and while there may be a question mark over the marathon 3157 metres distance, that is an issue that will confront the entire field. And Leap To Fame gives every indication that he will run out a strong staying distance. Don Hugo had a torrid run in his Heat last week but trainer Luke McCarthy will have him refreshed for this week. Again like most of the runners the distance will be a query. Max Delight is a grand warrior and showed his customary courage and determination in running second last week in his Heat. He is sure to be prominent in the finish. Local trainer Shannon Price’s pair of Speak The Truth and Sure Thing Captain are racing in great form but not likely to trouble Leap to Fame.

Saturday’s meeting will have five other supporting races and the star studded card will kick off at 5pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink