A positive barrier draw on Monday morning could shift the TAB Inter Dominion market momentum back the way of New South Wales superstar Tiger Tara (pictured right with trainer Kevin Pizzuto by Ashlea Brennan).

One month after a heartbreaker in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, when Tiger Tara basically deserved to win but didn’t, the stable that pipped the Kevin Pizzuto trained eight-year-old just may stand between him and top-level success again.

Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen put the polish on exciting four-year-old Spankem, whose maturity belies his age, and Cruz Bromac, unbeaten in this year’s ID18 series to date.

But if Tiger Tara’s connections pull the best marble, he could be the favourite with TAB.com.au by Monday lunchtime.

“It’s going to come down to the draw, but I just have to say a few prayers and hope for a good alley,” Tiger Tara’s driver Todd McCarthy said.

Rasmussen has an envious decision to make. It’s a tough call, but you’d prefer to have the choice than not.

She can pick either Spankem or Cruz Bromac (pictured below by Stuart McCormick) for next Saturday night’s $500,000 Group 1.

“I don’t even know,” she said when quizzed which rein she would pull.

“I will put them in a hat and draw one out. They are both just beautiful horses, neither of them would be a bad drive. They are both genuine winning chances, they’ve got everything. They’ve both got speed, they’ve both got strength. You couldn’t split them.”

McCarthy believes the 2760m of the grand final will suit Tiger Tara.

“He’s very tough. The distance is going to play into his hands. One thing’s for sure he’s going to do his best for us,” he said.

Cruz Bromac produced the fastest mile rate tonight with a 1:56.5 run to defeat Im Pats Delight by 4.4m

Post-race Gavin Lang told Sky’s Adam Hamilton if you reversed the runs of the winner and the second horse, the result would change, too. Im Pats Delight is certainly getting better all the time.

 

Monday's barrier draws will occur at Zinc, Federation Square, from 9am, and will be broadcast live on Sky Racing 1, Sky Sports Radio and RSN.