2015 Inter-Dominion Final preview

We here at Harnesslink like to do in depth previews of all the major Australasian races and so it is that we have turned our attention to this Sundays Inter-Dominion Final at Gloucester Park

1) Lovers Delight –  Starts 53  –  Wins 21  –  Seconds 11  –  Thirds 5   –   Stakes $337,272  –  Time 1:56.7 

The find of this years series amongst the locals. 

A smart third in the first round which he followed up with a great third in the second round after being three wide for the last round.

He showed that was no fluke with a big burn from out wide early in the third round to lead and then sprinted home in 54.5 to hold out the challenge of  Lennytheshark in the straight.

Draw a huge plus for a horse with gate speed and great driver in Chris Lewis in the bike makes Lovers Delight a serious winning chance and a must have for all combo takers.

2) Waylade   –   Starts 23   –   Wins 14   –   Seconds 5   –   Thirds 2   –   Stakes $289,985)   –   Time 1:53.5 

Had a huge reputation leading into the series and hasn't quite lived up to the hype to date.

Good second to Devendra in the first round before having absolutely no luck in round two when finishing fifth under a big hold.

His third round run was arguably his best when he worked around them from a bad draw and fought on gamely to finish a close third behind Libertybelle Midfrew and Philadelphia Man.

Doesn't have brilliant gate speed so will look to possie up early as close as possible to the speed and then be launched later in the race.

Has a great big race driver in the bike but two or three here look better winning chances on their form in the heats.

Include in all combo bets.

3) Lennytheshark  –   Starts 44  –   Seconds 12   –   Thirds 5   –   Stakes $ 670,991   –   Time 1:52.8 

The favourite before the series started and has done nothing over the first three nights to lose his favoured status.

Two dominant wins in the first two rounds before being beaten a metre by Lover's Delight in the third round after working hard and still getting home over the last 800 metres in 54.5.

Perfect draw for him where he will find the death or one by one in the running line and that makes him the horse to beat.

Only question mark has been getting around the last bend at speed but looks to have the class to overcome that.

Deserved favourite and include in all combo bets.

4) Philadelphia Man  –  Starts 47  –  Wins 24  –  Seconds 7  –  Thirds 2 –  Stakes $534,334   –    1:52.6

The second favourite going into the series and still holds that possie going into the final.

Two outstanding wins in the first two rounds before a game second in the final round of heats behind the champion mare Libertybelle Midfrew.

Doesn't come out of the gate flying normally but even so barrier four is a touch tricky for him.

Needs to find Lennytheshark's back early to maximize his chances of upsetting the favourite.

Gavin Lang is a master in the bike and it is not often that he pulls the wrong rein in a big race

Can win and a must include for all combo bet takers.

5) Our Blackbird  –  Starts 92  –  Wins18  –  Seconds 12  –  Thirds 12  –  Stakes $239,456  –  Time 1:55.1

Used barrier one to snatch a second place in round one and then fifth and sixth in the next two rounds.

Needed an inside draw to be a realalistic chance of running in the first four here.

Not for us

6) Libertybelle Midfrew  –  Starts 40  –  Wins 16  –  Seconds 4  –  6 Thirds  –  Stakes:$547,046  Time 1:53.9

Outstanding mare who had absolutely no luck in the first two rounds so her driver took luck out of play in the third round from barrier three by just sending her from the time the gate went and she stuck on and outstayed Philadelphia Man and Waylade.

Just kept trucking last week which is her forte but there is a lot of speed inside her this week which makes her job so much more tougher than last week.

Outside first four player at best for us.

7) Avonnova  –  Starts 136  –  Wins 45  –  Seconds 26  –  Thirds 15  –  Stakes $748,596  –  Time 1:51.3  

Proven Grand Circuit performer but has just being a touch short of his very best during the series.

Good seconds to Devendra and Philadelphia Man in rounds one and three means he is not a forlorn hope but is going to need luck from out here.

Outside first four player from draw for us.

8) Devendra  –  Starts 62  –  Wins 25  –  Seconds  –  15  –  Thirds 9  –  Stakes $283, 473  –  Time 1:52 

The big find of the series without a doubt.

Big first round win after burning early and outstaying Waylade before getting caught up in a suicidal early speed burn in round two but still stuck on gamely for fifth.

Looked no chance in the third round after still being last on the final bend but stormed home late to grab a sensational win.

Has blinding gate speed so may go forward early or settle back and hope a really fast tempo brings him into the race late in the piece.

Has the game to win with either option and driver James Rattray is no stranger to the big stage having won the last two Inter-Dominions. 

The big threat to the two favourites and can win.

Include in all combo bets.

9) My Hard Copy  –  Starts 62  –  Wins 21  –  Seconds 11  –  Thirds 6  –  Stakes:$523,142  –  Time 1;51.6

An out and out sit-sprinter so draw not as bad as it looks.

Poor in the first round of heats when eighth, then won his second round heat in good time but only one of his other competitors in the grand final in Our Blackbird raced in that heat.

Ran on for third from last in the third round of heats but was over 21 metres from the winner.

There lies his big problem for us in that unless they go completely mad up front, My Hard Copy will struggle to get into the race.

Outside first four player for us.

10) Flaming Flutter  –  Starts 61  –  Wins 18  –  Seconds 15  –  Thirds 12  –  Stakes:$427,663  –  Time 1:53.9

An okay third in the first round of heats to Philadelphia Man before a much better third on night two,again to Philadelphia Man.

Didn't appear to handle the three runs in eight days when a very average seventh by his standards  to Devendra in the third round.

With a week to get over those three runs in eight days and a draw behind the likely leader in Lover's Delight, Flaming Flutter is a great chance to run a drum and bolster those first four dividends.

Include in trifectas and first fours.

Emergencies

Major Crocker  –  (Emg 1)  Good run on the second night but disappointing in both rounds at Gloucester Park. Even if he made it back into the field, we can't make a case for him.

Not for us

Blazin N Cullen  –  (Emg2) Another runner who went good at Bunbury on night two but failed to deliver in his two runs at Gloucestor Park.

Can't make a case for him as a serious player even if he did make it back into the field.

Not for us

Selections

We have been really taken with the runs of Devendra in this years Inter-Dominion series.

He was way to good for Waylade in round one, huge in defeat in round two and a sensational winner of his third round heat.

Can he beat Lennytheshark and Philadelphia Man from his wide draw is the big question.?

We think he can so Devendra is our first pick from Lennytheshark and Philadelphia Man.

Outside of those three for trifectas and first fours takers ,we like Lover's Delight, Waylade and Flaming Flutter.

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