Inter Dominion loss is becoming a haze for Moran

The disappointment of losing the Inter Dominion final on protest is quickly becoming a haze for top harness racing driver David Moran.

Since stewards’ stripped Moran of his win on Expensive Ego, he’s had plenty to keep him busy.

First it was bringing stable star Lochinvar Art – trained by his partner Kasey Kent – back from NSW to prepare for a comeback to racing.

And now, Moran is full-bore with a stellar set of drives, headed by champion filly Ladies In Red, at the stunning Vicbred semi-finals meeting at Melton on Wednesday night. Click here to see fields.

While Ladies In Red is Moran’s marquee drive of the night, she certainly isn’t his best winning chance.

“She keeps drawing poorly and it’s a big ask from outside the back row (gate 13) with Joanna looking like she’ll coast to the lead and get it pretty easy in the early stages. Joanna’s going to be very, very hard to run down if that’s how it plays out,” he said.

Moran is back aboard another of Ladies In Red’s stablemates, Beach Music, in the other three-year-old fillies’ semi-final and expects her to win.

“You’d think she would work across and find the lead. She’ll take some running down in that one,” he said.

Freakish four-year-old Honolua Bay rivals Ladies In Red as the most gifted pacer Moran will drive in the semis.

“He’s shaping like a Miracle Mile horse. He’s very good. He’s so fast,” he said. “It’s a strong semi, but he’s got the draw advantage over Pacifico Dream and Silent Major, who look his main dangers. He’s probably better when he doesn’t lead, but we’ve got to go to the front from that draw (three).”

Spring In His Step, one of Victoria’s most improved pacers, will take beating from the pole in his three-year-old entires and geldings’ semi.

“The start is the key for him, If he leads, I reckon he’ll win, but Longfellow and Kimble will come out quickly. I’m sure he’s as good as any of them, but he just needs to hold the lead,” he said.

Moran’s winning hopes don’t end there.

“I think Captain Rival is a bit of roughie with a great chance in his semi (race four) and even for the final,” he said. “Our Little Jet will run a good race from the pole (in race one), while Irish Black Label will be fitter for last time and she’s good enough to test Encipher at her best.”

Back to Lochinvar Art, and Moran said he could even trial as early as next week.

“The leg he had the problem with looks great. I’m stepping up his work this week. He’ll either trial next week or the week after,” he said.

“He’ll have two trials and I’d love to run him first-up in the Shepparton Cup (January 15), but it’s touch and go. I’m keen to get two runs into him before the Hunter Cup (February 5).”

Lochinvar Art, who had a hoof injury which worsened into a major leg issue, hasn’t raced since winning the Hunter Cup on February 6 this year.

By Adam Hamilton for Newscorp