Tritton pleased with Inter heat draws

Hunter Valley harness racing trainer Shane Tritton could not be happier with the barrier draws for Saturday night’s Inter Dominion heats at Tabcorp Park Menangle. 

Tritton has two runners in each heat and believes he has legitimate chances in both.

“In the first heat Suave Stuey Lombo has drawn six, but will start from four if the two emergencies come out and Mark Dennis will come into eight,” Tritton said. “It is the perfect draw for Stuey and the easy month he has had recently may have been a blessing in disguise.

“In the supplementary heat Easy On The Eye will come into three if the emergencies don’t start and Saucy Legend will start in two, so they both should settle right on the speed.”

Tritton confirmed the plan with Suave Stuey Lombo is to lead throughout despite the qualifier being over 2400 metres as opposed to the gelding’s favourite sprint journey.

“I couldn’t imagine handing over, he is feeling fresher than most going into the series and we’ll be looking to find the front,” Tritton said. “I can’t see too many horses that would want to have a crack at us midrace.

“Obviously Beautide and For A Reason are the horses to beat in that heat, but with four runners going through from the Final I think Mark Dennis is right in the mix to snare the fourth spot.”

Easy On The Eye has pulled up well from his placing in last weekend’s A G Hunter Cup at Melton according to Tritton.

“He has come through that run well and I have been waiting to get him over a longer trip at Menangle,” Tritton declared. “While Christen Me and Terror To Love are in the heat, they both have had some very tough runs in the past fortnight.”

Stable driver Lauren Panella has elected to partner Suave Stuey Lombo and Easy On The Eye.

• GREG HAYES