Victoria will send five contenders into the Group 1 Inter Dominion Grand Finals at Albion Park on Saturday night as the state looks to conquer harness racing’s most prestigious stage.
Two pacers and three trotters have qualified for the 3157-metre marathon features.
In the $1,000,000 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final, the hopes rest with Rakero Rebel and Catch A Wave.
Rakero Rebel, trained by Jess Tubbs and driven by James Herbertson, is a high-speed and versatile mare who has drawn ideally in barrier two. While she is yet to win at Albion Park, she brings strong credentials at staying trips including victories in the Geelong Pacing Cup (2570m) and Queen of the Pacific (2760m). This will be her first attempt at 3157 metres.
Drawn alongside series favourite and champion pacer Leap To Fame (barrier #1), she’s unlikely to find the front given their comparable early speed. With the marathon distance in mind, she’s not likely to be pushed too hard early to ensure she’s still strong at the finish. If victorious, she would become the first mare to win the Inter Dominion Pacing Championship since Jodie’s Babe in 1989.
Catch A Wave is the third-highest stakes earner in the field and a multiple Group 1 winner. He has shown his strength over longer distances with wins in the Fremantle Cup (2936m) and Nullarbor (2536m). While he hasn’t won at Albion Park and faces a tough draw in barrier seven, his first heat run was exceptional. He covered 24 extra metres racing wide and still charged home in 25.99 and 26.49 for his final two quarters.
His second heat performance was similarly strong despite finishing down the track. He had to race wide again and covered an extra 42 metres, yet was only beaten 22.5 metres at the finish. I don’t know if he can beat Leap To Fame, but he will be flashing home if he has some luck.
In the $500,000 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final, Arcee Phoenix, Parisian Artiste and Harry Stamper will represent Victoria.
Arcee Phoenix has drawn the pole and is the current race favourite. He isn’t typically aggressively asked to lead from the gate and usually prefers to steadily work to the front. Sir Fahrenheit and Golden Sunset have good gate speed but are not a full length quicker than Arcee, so he will need to be pushed hard to hold up early despite it not being his usual pattern.
Arcee Phoenix has the third-fastest sectionals, swooper speed and quarter speed in this field, noting Gus, Oscar Bonavena and Not As Promised also have great times. He comes into the final well looked after, having been driven as conservatively as possible through the heats. He brings strong staying credentials, including a fourth at Addington over 3200 metres and another fourth in the Kilmore Trotters Cup over 3150 metres. While he hasn’t won beyond 2500 metres, he has the experience and is well positioned to run a major race.
Parisian Artiste was the only Victorian to win a heat this year, leading and defeating Arcee Phoenix in impressive fashion. He also won a heat in last year’s series. While early pressure may prevent him from leading in the final, he is a genuine winning chance if he gets the right trip. His sectionals are not far off the best in the field, and he ran third in the Kilmore Trotters Cup over 3150 metres, showing he can handle the staying test.
Harry Stamper had little go his way in the heats. He stood on his shoe in the first and was forced to race wide throughout the second, covering an extra 30 metres. While his sectionals rate about average, his turn of foot is his biggest asset. If he gets the right run, he has the speed to feature. Trainer Joe Pace was pleased with his draw in barrier nine.
Other Victorians to follow
Race 3 – Inter Dominion Consolation
• #2 Hector (Andy Gath/Grant Dixon) – Well drawn but may find this company a challenge.
• #4 Better Eclipse (Jess Tubbs/James Herbertson) – Unlucky to miss the final and can be a major player here.
• #6 Tango Tara (Andy Gath/Kate Gath) – Had no luck in the heats but showed strong finishing speed. A chance with the right run.
Race 4 – Queensland Oaks
• #1 Manhatten Chick (Alex Ashwood/Cameron Hart) – Much improved since joining the Ashwood/French stable. A dominant South East Oaks winner.
• #3 Soho Americano (Michael Stanley/Luke McCarthy) – A last-start Albion Park winner with strong credentials.
Race 5 – Queensland Derby
• #9 Jacks Ultimate Fury (Russell Jack/Brad Hewitt) – Huge performance first-up in the Rising Sun. Should take improvement and is a winning chance.
• #13 Seathestars (Geoff Webster/Will Rixon) – South East Derby winner with untapped potential. The draw makes it harder.
Race 9 – Trotting Free For All
• #6 Aldebaran Acrux – Missed the final due to a mistake in her second heat but has the class to bounce back.
Race 10 – Queensland Oaks/Derby Consolation
• #6 Williams (Alex Ashwood/Tayla French) – Lightly raced and progressive. In the mix.
Herbertson leads Young Drivers series
James Herbertson heads into the final heat of the Australasian Young Drivers Championship with a strong lead. The series wraps up with Race 1 on Saturday night, where he will drive Commodore Jujon for Grant Dixon from barrier four.
Herbertson’s drives for the night:
• Race 1 – Commodore Jujon #4
• Race 2 – Ravishing Sloy #3
• Race 3 – Better Eclipse #4
• Race 4 – Lila Maree #10
• Race 5 – Demon Blue #2
• Race 8 – Rakero Rebel #2
• Race 9 – Eurocash #1
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