Latest Inter Dominion Rankings highlight depth of quality

The latest rankings have been released for the forthcoming Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Series Albion Park and show most of the top contenders in both the Pacers and Trotters Series are still in contention.

In a blow to New Zealand interest, Kiwi-raider Republican Party, a winner of four Group 1 features in the past seven months, has been scratched from this years series. New Zealand’s remaining representatives are Pinseeker (ranked 20) and Beach Ball is ranked at 42.

West Australia will now not have representation as both Minstrel and Gee Heza Sport have been withdrawn as well. Former West Australian Pinny Tiger will now line up in Queensland interests.

At this stage the two big guns of Australian harness pacing Don Hugo and Leap To Fame ranked one and two are still on track to take their place in the series.

Victorian pacer Catch A Wave fresh from his unsuccessful trip to Western Australia is ranked number three while Tasmania Cup winner Jorge Street is at number four.

Notable movements in the rankings are:

• Wisper A Secret – raised from 23 to 17 following another Open class win at Albion Park
• Nyack – raised from 24 to 21 following his impressive Open class win at Menangle
• Triedtotellya – raised from 67 to 61 following his Launceston Mile win

Boom Queensland pacer The Janitor is still below the cut off mark with ranking 45 while Our Luciano is ranked at 46.

In the trotters division, Victorian trainer Andy Gath has a strong hand with the top two rankings in Callmethebreeze who is on the comeback after a foot injury and Watts up partytime winner of this year’s Great Southern Star.

The New Zealand pair of Bet To Win and Oscar Bonavena are in contention with rankings of three and four. They are followed by the top trotters Arcee Phoenix and London to A Brick. Queensland’s best prospect would appear to be Not As Promised who has won five of his last six starts at Albion Park and as a three year old won the Victoria Trotters Derby and Final of the three year old Breeders Crown at Melton.

Queensland owned Susan Is Her Name is also heading up for the Series and the mare will go straight into the Inter Dominion after winning the Macarthur Mares Mile at Menangle Park.

Outstanding mare Keayang Zahara whose unbeaten run of 15 consecutive wins came to an end at Menangle Park a fortnight back is no certainty to go up for the Inter Dominion. She will most likely race in a mares event at Melton before connections make the decision to either go or miss the Series.

The pacers heats will be restricted to 36 runners in three heats on 5^th and 12^th July with the $1 million Final to be run on Saturday 19^th July. The Trotters series will have 24 runners in two heats over the same dates as the pacers with the $500,000 Final run on Saturday 19^th July.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink