Queenslanders cross border for Inter Dominions

The eyes of Australian trotting fans will focus squarely on Menangle this Sunday for Inter Dominion Final Day. There will be much interest north of the Tweed in the 7 Group 1 races and 3 Group 2 events to be held on the amazing 10 race card, as Queensland has plenty of representation.

The Queensland interest starts in Race 2 where Narissa McMullen will be out to defend her title in the Lady Drivers Invitational that she won last year and she has drawn barrier 1 aboard Saloon Passage for trainer Nathan Hurst. With third placings at his last 2 Menangle starts, McMullen will be hoping to emulate her performance last year in taking the prize.

Hoping to thwart McMullen’s chance at a repeat victory will be the Grant Dixon trained Major Moment. Qualifying for this race with an all the way Heat win 2 weeks ago, Goulburn based Amy Day will be entrusted with the drive.

The next combatant for Queensland will be Corporal Luna who will take his place in the NSW Derby for trainer/driver Grant Dixon. The gelding made his way into the blue riband feature with a 5th placing in his heat held last Saturday night and will need to bring his best artillery after landing barrier 7.

Race 6 is the 4YO Classic, the Chariots Of Fire and Dixon will be hoping for a scratching to allow his runner Alleluia to gain a start. Currently the 1st Emergency, should he gain a start, the wide barrier has not helped his chances as he will carry saddle cloth 11.

Race 7 is the big one, the Inter Dominion Final and is set to jump at 2.42pm Queensland time. There will be dual representation for the Sunshine State following the Heats held a fortnight ago and the issuing of wildcards. Majestic Mach has drawn barrier 8 and Grant Dixon has achieved a unique milestone with his stable star. Razzle has the distinction of lining up in successive years in New South Wales biggest events, the Derby, the Chariots and now the pinnacle event, the Inter Final.

The other Queenslander is the fairytale story of Avonnova. Being granted a wildcard, the Ian Gurney trained hulk has not fared well in the barrier draw and will start from barrier 13. Will it prove to be an unlucky number or will it be the lucky blessing for the reigning Queensland Horse Of The Year? The way the Avonnova story has unfolded, there is every opportunity that there is another chapter to be written.

The Bohemia Crystal Free For All is Race 8 and features the biggest Queensland participation. Narissa McMullen will saddle her first Group 1 runner as a trainer/driver when she partners the rejuvenated Bettor Draw from barrier 2. A luckless 3rd in the Brisbane Interdominion Heat will ensure that Bettor Draw is well supported after the favourable barrier in this event.

Forever Gold starts from barrier 8 for trainer driver Darren Weeks and will be hoping for more luck than last year’s Interdominion Final. Like Majestic Mach it will be the third year in succession that Forever Gold will line up in a Group 1 race on Final day at Menangle.

Majestic Major will start to the immediate outside of Forever Gold in his first ever taste of Group 1 competition and will be hoping that the staying journey of 2400m will better suit his constitution than the hard and fast mile racing that Sydney’s premier track presents.

The Trotters have their moment in the Group 1 spotlight in the penultimate race of the day. Queensland interest here lies with the Dixon trained and driven Our Overanova. Stopping in Sydney for 2 starts before heading further south to the Great Southern Star Series in Victoria, he will line up for just the 2nd time in his career in a Group 1 event. Connections will be hoping that history does not repeat, as at his only Group 1 performance Our Overanova galloped when under pressure and a repeat of that will not help his cause.

Formerly trained in Queensland, Supper Waltz Wilson is still owned by a Queenslander, Lawson Cockburn. Wilson’s former trainer and Lawson’s grandson Bart Cockburn will take the drive on the gelding that will face the starter in a Group 1 event for the first time at his 131st race start.

The last race on the day is the Group 2 Carnival Stakes and the Grant Dixon trained Only The Brave is the 2nd Emergency and will be relying on scratchings to force his way into the field.

Add to these Queensland trained or driven horses mentioned above will be at least 7 other horses who boast Queensland based ownership interests. They are Our Hi Jinx, Smooth Showgirl, For A Reason, Bettor Bet Black, Lochinver, Pub Blitz and Gaius Caesar.

It all shapes well for a Queensland assault on Super Sunday.

Racing Queensland