THE Inter Dominion, Australasia’s greatest harness event, commenced at Alexandra Park in Auckland last Friday. Consisting of two heats for both pacers and trotters, it was a triumph for Australia and Victoria, with Lance Justice’s Smoken Up taking the first pacers heat and Chris Lang’s Let Me Thru the second trotters heat. Smoken Up led throughout from gate five in accounting for Mr Feelgood which shadowed him and Villagem (one/one) in a rate of 2-03.8, giving Australia the trifecta. Let Me Thru did similar from gate three in defeating Sovereignty which raced outside him from the bell and Stylish Monarch (one/one) in a rate of 2-02. Themightyquinn (Gary Hall Jnr) was given the run of the race one/one from gate six, easing three wide entering the straight to score from the Queenslander Washakie which led and Choise Achiever which trailed the winner, with Blacks A Fake third after racing in the open. The mile rate 2-00.4. The disappointment of the night being two time I-D Trotting Final winner Sundons Gift which finished at the tail of the field after racing in the open behind Dr Hook. The final heats will be held this Friday.
KILMORE trainer Rita Burnett has had D M Dilinger/ Nora Barnacle gelding Indi Bapu really hitting his straps lately, chalking up two wins in succession by taking the Frank Gatusso Transport three-year-old Pace over 1690 metres at Shepparton on Thursday. Starting from gate three on the second row, Burnett didn’t hesitate in sending Indi Bapu forward to take the lead away from the pacemaker Rowillie trained by sister-in-law Julie Mifsud. With no challengers, Indi Bapu was never in any danger and coasted to the wire in a rate of 2-02.2 over a death-seating Fictional Hero and Ill At Ease (one/one) to bring up his 3rd victory in 13 outings.
FOUR-year-old Shes Irresistable Blissful Hall/ Adversity mare Shes Irresistable trained at Bolinda by Kari and Paul Males, was successful in the Decron Hoof Care Pace for C0 class (mares) over 2195 metres at Ararat on Wednesday. Exploding away from gate three to lead throughout in accounting for Give Me Gold (three back the markers – one/one home turn) and Conchita Sound in a rate of 2-02.8.
MEETINGS for the week: Wednesday – Maryborough/Ballarat, Thursday – Melton/Bendigo, Friday -Mildura/Melton, Saturday – Cranbourne, Sunday -Kyabram@Shepparton, Monday – Horsham, Tuesday – Geelong.
HORSES to follow: Western And Western, Fictional Hero, Mister Pinocchio, Sakwi, Ubringthedrinks, Blaring, Pound Foolish, Post It Away.
