Track record and lady domination highlight Inter Dominion pacing heats

Somebeachsomewhere harness racing gelding Honolua Bay stepped up to the task again winning his third straight Inter Dominion heat at Geelong on Saturday night (Dec. 3).

The five-year-old is undefeated in the series and held off all of his rivals again to make it three wins in-a-row rating 1:58.5 in the 2570m test.

Driver David Moran took the pacer to the top from barrier five, where he remained, and after posting the last two quarters in 27.5 and 27 seconds had more than two metres to spare on his rivals.

“He was good . . . Clayton (Tonkin) and Emma (Stewart) said he came through all his runs really well,” said Moran.

“He’s just getting stronger and stronger and the 2500m didn’t bother him.

“He’ll make the trip next week, no worries at all.

“It’s such an even series it doesn’t matter where they all draw it’s more down to gatespeed.”

All the trotting Inter Dominion heats of the night were peg dominated with all winners leading and it was the same scenario in this heat.

Perfect Stride for Jack Trainor was second after racing behind the leader.

The second favourite Better Eclipse galloped at the start and was out of contention, finishing last by more than 400m.

HONOLUA BAY REPLAY

Trainer Emma Stewart made it a race-to-race double with Act Now (Somebeachsomewhere) winning the second of the pacers heat in track record time.

Act Now stopped the clock in 1:53.4 lowering the previous record of 1:56.5 for the 2570m at Geelong.

The entire found his way to the front and took reinswoman Jodi Quinlan for a ride as he posted the quarters in 29, 28.9, 27.4 and 28.1 seconds.

“He over-raced a bit, too much for my liking,” said Quinlan.

“I had to shake him up to cross and then he didn’t want to settle.

“He doesn’t have to lead to win (the final), he’s shown he’s versatile but you would still hope for a good draw.”

The Amanda Turnbull-trained and driven Bundoran dived on the line and finished a short-half-neck away in second with Expensive Ego in third after racing in the breeze.

Majestic Cruiser went off stride in the first lap ruined all chances of winning but regathered to finish seventh.

ACT NOW REPLAY

Stewart made it a clean sweep of the pacing heats on the night winning the third qualifier with Mach Dan (Mach Three).

The Victorian horsewoman has won seven of the nine pacing heats and the other trainers to win pacing qualifiers are Jess Tubbs (Better Eclipse) and Belinda McCarthy (Spirit Of St Louis) seeing horsewomen dominate the series.

Mark Pitt drove Mach Dan and from barrier seven worked their way to the lead.

There were plenty of moves but Mach Dan held out all his rivals by two metres in a rate of 1:55.3 with Petes Said So was second and I Cast No Shadow in third.

“He has been super throughout the series . . . he came through his first run good, got through his second run better and was even better again tonight,” said Pitt.

“He’s a great little racehorse and I think he can (win the final). The draw is going to be a big thing but he is a live hope.”

MACH DAN REPLAY

For complete race results and replays, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink