Inter Dominion Preview Second round of Heats

After last Saturday night’s successful start to the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion the focus returns to Albion Park this Saturday evening for the second and final round of the Inter Dominion for both pacers and trotters.

In addition the $500,000 Group 1 Protostar for two year olds has attracted the best field to date for youngsters.

Here’s our preview for the big night

Round 2 Heat 4 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing Championship

Sure Thing Captain looked most impressive last week in his all the way win and a critical factor was that he was allowed to dictate the terms of the pace and simply outsprint his rivals. From barrier 4 he should be able to cross over and if able to take a breather should prove too strong again for his rivals. Max Delight never runs a bad race and last week ran his usual honest run when wide and fourth to Leap To Fame. He’s not well drawn on the second row but if driver Will Rixon can get him towards the leaders he will make his presence felt. Local pacer Wisper A Secret was never really in the hunt last week but he’s better than that effort suggested and he could run a place. Another local Tims A Trooper is a consistent performer around the Albion Park circuit and from his favourable draw could be thereabouts.

Round 2 Heat 3 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Trotters Championship

Bet N Win couldn’t have been more impressive last week when he led all the way for an effortless display. He certainly has been favoured with another barrier draw and should have no trouble running out the 2680 metres. Expect him to roll to the front and repeat last week’s effort. London To A Brick really blotted his copybook last week with a wayward galloping display that saw him lose all chance at the beginning. He did this during last years Inter Dominion in Sydney but his form this time in had been almost faultless and he deserves another chance even though he may struggle to make the Final. Golden Sunset surprised with her determined win last week but from the second row may find it difficult although she performs well on this circuit. The query runner is Gus. There is no doubting his ability and his barrier manners in the past have left much to be desired. But last week he ran a slashing race to just miss finishing second and if repeats that form he will be right in the finish.

 Round 2 Heat 5 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing Championship

This is the race of the night with the clash of the two titans of harness racing Leap To Fame and Don Hugo. Tactics are going to be a major factor in determining the result. Leap To Fame is drawn on the inside of the second row so the obvious question is whether driver Grant Dixon will try to follow up on Luke McCarthy on Don Hugo who is drawn the pole and could be expected to lead. Or Dixon may elect to ease back and then go around the field although if Don Hugo is leading it is hard to see him giving up the front. Both horses are racing in superb form and Dixon will be aware if he sits back to far early that Don Hugo is capable of running a scintillating last quarter which would make it nearly impossible for those behind to catch him. But in saying this both Dixon and McCarthy will not want their horses to have too hard a run given next week’s Final to be run over the marathon 3157 metres. Catch A Wave was superb last week when he finished a gallant second from well back and he may well be returning to his previous top form in feature races. Still he would need to be at his very best to test either Leap to Fame or Don Hugo.

Round 2 Heat 4 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Trotters Championship

Arcee Phoenix did enough last week in his third placing to suggest that he is the one to beat despite his poor inside of the second row draw. Last week he was never likely to haul in Bet N Win but he raced wide in the final lap and still looked good enough at the finish. He’ll also be suited by the 2680 metre distance and trainer Chris Svanosio should have him fit for next week’s Final. It’s do or die for New Zealand trotter Oscar Bonavena to try and make the final. He had a torrid run last week and was running into dead ends when seventh in his Heat. He’s drawn the pole and he is all class on his night but he’ll need to be at his very best to either lead throughout or sit and sprint at the finish with a clear run. Parisian Artiste ran a credible third in his heat and should figure in the finish. The best of the others appear to be Harry Stamper and Constantinople.

Round 2 Heat 6 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing Championship

Another open event and this looks to be a match between Captains Knock and Speak The Truth. Captains Knock ran a fantastic race when runner up to Don Hugo last week and although drawn wide only needs to run up to that form to take a power of beating in this. He won several heats of the Inter Dominion last year in Sydney and seems to be returning to his best form. Speak The Truth ran ninth in last week’s heat but he was wide early and then jammed up for a run. He’s favourably drawn in three and if lhe lands in front he’ll feature in the finish. Rakero Rebel ran an honest race last week with a perfect trail behind the leader and she is sure to run just as well this time in although the longer trip may work against her.

Race 7 The Protostar

This looks to be the best two year old event on offer since the Bathurst Gold Crown series earlier in the year. The barrier draw is crucial as they will be flying in the short 1660 metre trip. The race looks to be dominated by the Emma Stewart and Grant Dixon stables. Stewart’s top colt Cardigan Dan has drawn the pole and he has the speed to kick up and hold his rivals out. He was most impressive winning at Ballarat last month in 1.53.6 and will improve on that effort. However Dixon’s star colt Fire and Passion is a winner of five of his six starts. Expects fireworks at the beginning with both Cardigan Dan and Fire and Passion looking to lead. Loucasso sat outside Brooklyn Dan at Ballarat to only go down by a head and if he is close to the leaders and with cover on the final bend he will run run a mighty race. Dixon’s other runner Fight For Victory has class stamped all over him and looked every inch a star when he won the Queensland Breeders Final on 31 May. He’s drawn awkwardly on the inside of the second row but if he follows up Cardigan Dan who would them lead then he could easily outsprint his rivals. Dynamite Dan, the third of Stewart’s runners is on the second row but don’t dismiss his chances as he showed plenty of class winning the APG two year old colts and geldings final at Menangle Park. He will also have the services of top reinsman Cameron Hart who excels in big races.

For complete race entries, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink