ID test of toughest takes toll as super Sunday nears

The Inter Dominion is a series that was designed to reward the toughest and most durable standardbred in their chosen gait, by requiring all competitors to compete under gruelling conditions.

In its traditional format, three heats in a week followed up by a final the following, tests not only the physical stamina but the mental capabilities of the animal and in many ways their human counterparts as well.

These were the principles this time-honoured series were founded upon and the end result is the greatest racing that stands above all others.

Unfortunately, not every pacer or trotter can handle such a task and, as we reach the halfway mark of the 2021 edition, some horses have already buckled under the pressure.

The second round of heats at Bathurst on Wednesday were brutal – there is no two ways about it. Track records were monstered, horses were pushed outside their comfort zones and there were some hefty margins from first to last recorded.

Not surprisingly, the relentless racing has seen some notable omissions from the series.

The Lucky Lodge team of Robbie and KerryAnn Morris have been the opposite of fortunate this series with both Robyns Play Boy and Funky Monkey both succumbing to viral ailments that saw them underperform on night two. After both performed well on night one, despite being devoid of luck, it’s no doubt a bitter pill for their connections to swallow after high expectations leading in.

Make Mine Memphis performed admirably through his extended Queensland campaign and returned to his home state in search of ID21 glory, however, after two below-par performances, he has been withdrawn from the final heat owing to a throat infection.

While the three mentioned above have been officially withdrawn, the dream is still alive for Majestic Man.

After leading throughout and saluting in round one, he ventured to Bathurst on Wednesday evening at prohibitive odds after drawing perfectly at his desired sprint trip. The warning signs were evident however a long way from home as he was put under pressure and faded to be beaten 35 metres behind Lotamuscle.

With such an uncharacteristically poor performance, there were grave concerns for his continuation in the series, but some promising news surfaced Thursday morning.

Anthony Butt, who is caretaking the Kiwi square gaiter alongside his partner Sonya Smith for Phil Williamson, was undoubtedly disappointed with the Bathurst performance, but cautiously optimistic around the future of the gelding’s series perpetuation.

“He wasn’t travelling well a long way from home, whereas he is normally up on the bit and ready to go,” Butt said.

“He pulled up with a high heart rate and it didn’t come down as it should have either, although he’s pulled up okay this morning (Thursday) and showing no physical signs of being unwell.”

With maximum points in round one, if the Group 1 winner can show signs of improvement to warrant starting in the final heat on Sunday, it then gives the team a week to turn him around for the grand final.

No doubt an unsuitable preparation for such an event, but the dream isn’t over just yet!

It’s do or die for many on Sunday night at Bathurst, with the leaderboard likely to take another turn or two before point scoring opportunities come to a halt.

In the pacing division, super stallions King Of Swing and Expensive Ego sit atop the standings with maximum points of 31-a-piece. Spirit Of St Louis sits just below them on 29 after a second and a victory to his name thus far, whereas Malcolms Rhythm has all but assured his final spot and holds 27 points after two nights.

It’s below the top five where things get interesting, particularly for horses like Loorim Lake, Bundoran and The Black Prince, who currently occupy cusp positions and Mach Dan, Pocket The Terror and Line Up, who are nipping at their hooves.

Timothy Red has cleared out on his lonesome in the trotting division on an unbeaten 32 points with his steep ascendence now installing him as a $5.50 fourth TAB elect.

Lotamuscle snared some integral points with his Bathurst victory to see him into second position on 25 points, while Majestic Man and Pink Galahs sit on 23 and 22 points respectively. With Funky Monkey officially withdrawn from the division, 21 trotters remain vying for the 12 final positions.

The final round of heats will take place earlier on Sunday night’s Newcastle card as races three through seven.

Once again Sky Racing Active and Sky Racing 1 will have the entirety of the card shown, while the comprehensive Sky Thoroughbred Central coverage will be underway from 6.30pm.

It’s all or nothing this Sunday at the Newcastle International Paceway. Click here to view the fields.

BEST BET OF THE WEEKEND

Newcastle Sunday: R3 No.2 Max Delight.

VALUE BET OF THE WEEKEND

Newcastle Sunday: R7 No.4 Kyvalley Chief

By Brittany Graham for Sky Racing