It is fitting the trailblazing Kerryn Manning breaking another Australian record will headline a powerful Victorian flavour on Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Grand Final night.
Manning, who turned 50 last Friday, will drive in her 17th Inter Dominion trotting final after qualifying aboard the Chris Svanosio-trained Lovemeto last Saturday night.
That breaks her tie with the late great Gavin Lang on 16 for the most trotting final drives by an Australian.
Only Kiwi Hall of Famers Anthony Butt and Tony Herlihy have driven in more with 19 apiece.
But Manning has unfinished business.
Unlike Herlihy (four wins), Butt (three) and Lang (three), she is yet to win a final.
The closest she came was on the brilliant Andy Gath-trained mare La Coocaracha in 2002. She also drove another great Knight Pistol to finish third in 1997 and ’98.
Throw in a couple of fourths – Armbros Pride (2000) and Djerriwarrh (2001) – and Manning has certainly served her apprenticeship.
“Gee, I knew I’d driven in a few finals, but didn’t realise it was that many,” she said. “As a kid, the Inter Dominion is the race you want to win. I’ve come close, but I’d love to win it.”
Remembering, Manning was the first female to drive the winner of the iconic NZ Cup (Arden Rooney in 2015) and only the second female to drive a European Group 1 when Knight Pistol won the 1997 Harley Davidson Trot in Norway.
She’s also won the Hunter Cup, countless other mega races, a string of national premierships and so much more.’
Victory Saturday night would truly ice a magnificent career.
Manning’s confidence soared, not just after Lovemeto’s win, but the defeat of long-time trotting favourite Gus, who was a well beaten fourth to Lovemeto’s stablemate, the defending champion Arcee Phoenix.
“It’s opened up now, hasn’t it, with Gus being beaten,” she said. “That was a good win (Lovemeto), even if it wasn’t pretty.
“He trotted so much better than opening night, which is a huge credit to work Chris (Svanosio) did with him in between runs and he overcame a fair bit in the run to win well tonight.
“Now we cross the fingers for a good draw (in the final).”
The barrier draw is 1pm today (Monday) and can be seen live on all Albion Park and Racing Queensland social media.
Lovemeto’s win capped a massive night for Svanosio, who qualified all three runners he had in the second round of heats – Lovemeto, Arcee Phoenix and Gotfeelingsyouknow – for the final.
“It’s very satisfying. It’s been a long-range target and to have it come together so well so far is fantastic.”
Arcee Phoenix epitomized that, having not won in almost a year since last year’s final before upstaging Gus and others last night.
He looks primed at the right time.
Svanosio’s trio are part of the seven Victorian-trauined finalists in the 13-horse field. The others are Jilliby Dreamlover and Keayang Stuka (for Team Lee), Rockinwithattitude (David Miles) and Im Bobby (Eddie Tappe).
All have at least place claims, pending where they draw.
Place claims are probably the best hope for Victoria’s three pacing finalists, Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin’s pair Bay Of Biscay and War Dan Buddy and Jess Tubb’s Fighter Command.
They will all need good and suitable draws and plenty to go right to challenge the glamour pair, defending champion Leap To Fame and champion mare Captains Mistress.
PHOTOS: Toby Coutts
