Victoria setting the pace in the west

Here’s an idea for Victoria’s next numberplate slogan: Victoria – Home of the 2015 Perth Inter Dominion Quinella/Trifecta/First 4. That is only potentially, of course. But aren’t the Vics off to a flyer in the west?

Lennytheshark’s Inter odds have been slashed into even money on the back of his heat five win at Bunbury last night in 1:52.8, while Philadelphia Man, like Lenny, made it two heat wins from two goes in taking out heat six in 1:54.2.

TAB.com.au has Lennytheshark from the David Aiken stable into $2 favourite and Philadelphia Man from the Emma Stewart yard on the second line at $4.5.

That pair are the only runners in single digit odds.

TAB.com.au’s Adam Hamilton says the favourites are the horses to beat in this series but reckons there is too much of a gap between them.

“I’ve always felt there’s been too much between them in the betting. I genuinely believe there’s nothing between the horses. I think at his best Philadelphia Man is at least equal with the best of Lennytheshark,” Hamilton said.

Adding to the intrigue of this developing stoush is that two of world harness racing’s leading drivers in Chris Alford (Lennytheshark) and Gavin Lang (Philadelphia Man) are in the sulky behind the favourites.

They tied in last season’s Victorian metropolitan drivers’ premiership and they’re on a collision course for what should be an exquisite $1.3 million Grand Final at Gloucester Park on Sunday, December 13.

And let’s not forget the other Victorians who are on the sixth, seventh and equal eighth line of betting for the Grand Final – Major Crocker ($21), Franco Ledger ($26) and Flaming Flutter ($31).

Despite the top pair clearing out in the charts however, Hamilton says the Inter Dom is far from a two-horse race.

“As we’ve seen in both rounds so far barrier draws are so important, especially when you get all the good horses together in a final,” he said.

“Devendra has explosive gate speed. That’s a real weapon. His run was amazing last night after the early burn.

“My Hard Copy bounced back and is the sort of horse where it they turn it into a war he’s got his chance with that booming finish.

“And I’m not ruling out Waylade. He worked hard on night one and had not much luck on night two. There’s no horse I’ll be watching closer than Waylade on Friday night.”

For Friday night fields click here.

Race:  Inter Dominion Heat 7

Race:  Inter Dominion Heat 8

Race:  Inter Dominion Heat 9

LENNYTHESHARK CIRCLES INTER DOMINION FAVOURITISM

INTER Dominion favourite Lennytheshark has reconfirmed his status as the one to beat, firming from $2.50 into $2.00 with TAB after an impressive heat win in Bunbury last night.

With more than a quarter of all money bet on the favourite, Victoria look poised to win harness racing’s biggest race for the first time since 2000, with fellow Victorian-trained pacer Philadelphia Man next in the market at $4.50.

“Victoria holds the aces with Lennytheshark a deserved favourite and Philadelphia Man also impressive winning both his heats,” said TAB’s Adam Hamilton. 
“Lenny is the more versatile of the two, Philadelphia Man is so strong.”

“Victoria is out to break a drought, having not won since Shakamaker in 2000. The only other Victoria winner in the past 20 years was Golden Reign in 1995. Chris Alford drove Golden Reign and that’s his only Inter Dominion winner. He’s got a great chance to mark the 20^th anniversary as the driver of Lennytheshark.”

Devendra and Waylade remain genuine threats at $10, while Major Crocker is now in contention having firmed from $61 to $21 after an impressive second last night.

TAB.COM.AU ODDS – 2015 Inter Dominion

$2.00     Lennytheshark                  (in from $2.50)                                
$4.50     Philadelphia Man                               
$10         Devendra                            (out from $9.00)
$10         Waylade                              (out from $8.00)
$12         My Hard Copy                   (in from $26)                               
$21         Major Crocker                   (in from $61)
$26         Franco Ledger
$31         Blazen N Cullen, Flaming Flutter                               
$35         Lovers Delight
$41         Avonnova, Jason Rulz                              
$61         Bettors Fire, Crusader Banner
Others quoted                                 

Cody Winnell