John Justice holds the key to tonight’s $250,000 SENTrack Inter Dominion Trotting Championship but he fears by doing his best to win the race he may gift it to a rival.

Justice has both Mufasa Metro and Hatchback in the 2760m mobile start and there is plenty to like about the chances of the former, who won his heat at Geelong last Saturday and looks set to start from barrier one if the emergency comes out.

That gives Justice, famously a winner of the Inter Dominion Pacing Championship with Shakamaker in 2000, the option of trying for an all the way win, as he did both last week and when beating some of tonight’s key rivals at Maryborough in October.

However, as advantageous as that sounds, Mufasa Metro has final favourite Queen Elida drawn on his back and, if she tracks him throughout and gets the last crack at the leaders, she becomes everybody’s horse to beat.

“I don’t think I can worry about it too much,” Justice said.

“First we have to try and use the draw and hold the lead, and if we do that I think we have to stay there because he is so brave in front, as you saw last Saturday.

“I realise, like everybody does, that would also give Queen Elida every chance to beat us, but I can’t drive to beat her because that could beat me.”

The first part of that equation isn’t guaranteed either as there is gate speed from Nephew Of Sonoko (barrier four) and Majestuoso (five), who both won heats after leading and look likely to at least ask questions of Mufasa Metro early.

The more intense that pressure the better it will suit Queen Elida and Just Believe (12), who was unbeaten in the heats before his barrier draw luck ran out.

His driver, Greg Sugars, is resigned to having to sit parked for the last lap but says he can still win from there. And, with the field having a long tail, we should see gaps at the 400m that would allow Queen Elida to get a late run at the leaders, even if she does get forced back on the markers.

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SENTRACK ID22 TROTTING CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNER-BY-RUNNER

Analysis by Jason Bonnington

 

1 ANYWHERE HUGO (EMG) - SCRATCHED

 

2 MUFASA METRO

RECORD 31: 10-8-6

STAKES $160,875

AUST GROUP 1s 3: 0-0-1

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 4: 1-2-1

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 12.88%

TRAINER John Justice

DRIVER John Justice (Aust G1s 117: 13-10-10)

TAB fixed odds $5

“Former Kiwi conveyance who has thrived since arriving on Australian soil. He approaches tonight’s final on an upward spiral and with a perfect draw. John Justice can lead or trail in transit and be dangerous either way.”

 

3 SLEEPEE

RECORD 39: 14-7-8

STAKES $231,545

AUST GROUP 1s 7: 2-1-3

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 2: 0-0-1

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 11.32%

TRAINER Alison Alford

DRIVER Josh Duggan (Aust G1s 60: 0-1-5)

TAB fixed odds $41

“Star mare improving as this Inter Dominion series has progressed. May still be one run short of her peak, but wouldn’t surprise if she finished in the top four tonight.”

 

4 HATCHBACK

RECORD 72: 10-18-13

STAKES $149,920

AUST GROUP 1s 5: 0-1-0

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 12: 1-2-1

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 8%

TRAINER John Justice

DRIVER Ryan Sanderson (Aust G1s 3: 0-1-0)

TAB fixed odds $51

“John Justice’s second stringer, who has early speed but probably won’t employ it this evening. He is half a rung off very best here and will need luck to figure in placings.”

 

5 NEPHEW OF SONOKO

RECORD 123: 19-12-16

STAKES $268,225

AUST GROUP 1s 6: 0-0-0

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 7: 0-0-1

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 13.12%

TRAINER Ross Graham

DRIVER James Herbertson (Aust G1s 65: 4-9-3)

TAB fixed odds $51

“Heat winner on Night 2 who has shown flashes of best form this ID without consistently thriving. James Herbertson has little choice but to push forward early and hope for perfect cover in transit.”

 

6 MAJESTUOSO

RECORD 57: 26-7-12

STAKES $623,040

AUST GROUP 1s 12: 6-1-4

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 6: 5-0-1

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 14.97%

TRAINER Andy Gath

DRIVER Kate Gath (Aust G1s 291: 49-46-42)

TAB fixed odds $5.50

“Andy Gath’s five-time Group 1 winner was flat lining early in this series, but vastly improved on Night 3 at Geelong. If he’s able to find the front the race is on his racquet, if not he’ll want to be at his very best to win.”

 

7 ALWAYS READY

RECORD 49: 16-8-3

STAKES $300,510

AUST GROUP 1s 11: 2-4-1

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 4: 1-0-0

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 12.20%

TRAINER Anton Golino

DRIVER Nathan Jack (Aust G1s 270: 28-32-26)

TAB fixed odds $81

“Very consistent performer throughout ID series, who hasn’t been blessed with the gate he needed tonight. Don’t be surprised if Nathan Jack roars off the mobile arm, but if he doesn’t cross then his night is done.”

 

8 QUEEN ELIDA

RECORD 31: 18-6-3

STAKES $298,795

AUST GROUP 1s 6: 4-0-1

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 1: 0-1-0

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 8.94%

TRAINER Brent Lilley

DRIVER Chris Alford (Aust G1s 800: 127-104-91)

TAB fixed odds $2

“Future freak in making, whose winning chances largely depend on tactical decisions of others. If she settles behind the leader she’s the one to beat, if she’s shuffled further back life gets that much harder.”

 

9 OFORTUNA

RECORD 33: 10-4-2

STAKES $115,610

AUST GROUP 1s 4: 0-2-0

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 2: 0-0-0

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 10.64%

TRAINER Craig Demmler

DRIVER Jodi Quinlan (Aust G1s 264: 18-26-31)

TAB fixed odds $51

“Fairytale story on Night 1 of series, who hasn’t replicated those deeds later in ID. Whatever she does tonight, she will be better for the experience and a genuine force in 12 months’ time.”

 

10 MAJESTIC HARRY

RECORD 66: 11-10-8

STAKES $122,729

AUST GROUP 1s 2: 0-1-1

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 7: 2-3-0

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 9.39%

TRAINER Stephanie Graham

DRIVER Brittany Graham (Aust G1s 1: 0-0-0)

TAB fixed odds $101

“Headline grabbing Queensland visitor made much more famous by his connection with Sky Racing presenter Brittany Graham. So far this series his gate speed has been crucial, so hard to know how he’ll handle this awkward second line draw.”

 

11 PARISIAN ARTISTE

RECORD 39: 11-5-3

STAKES $162,563

AUST GROUP 1s 7: 1-0-1

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 6: 2-0-1

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 7.14%

TRAINER Alex Ashwood

DRIVER Tayla French (Aust G1s 7: 1-1-1)

TAB fixed odds $23

“Boom horse for more than 12 months who feels on the cusp of something special without quite yet providing it. Look for him to make a mid-race move, but one suspects he’s just outside the best.”

 

12 JUST BELIEVE

RECORD 50: 14-8-7

STAKES $251,363

AUST GROUP 1s 8: 1-0-1

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 8: 2-1-2

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 10.71%

TRAINER Jess Tubbs

DRIVER Greg Sugars (Aust G1s 499: 53-56-55)

TAB fixed odds $4.60

“Flawless performer through all three nights of ID carnival thus far, but sadly saved his shocking draw for when it matters most. Still underrated in some circles, we’ll certainly find out how good he is tonight. Remains a winning hope.”

 

13 SWISS MISS

RECORD 52: 7-5-10

STAKES $120,320

AUST GROUP 1s 2: 0-0-1

DISTANCE (2501-3000) 3: 0-0-1

GATE WIN% (12 MONTHS) 6.06%

TRAINER Shane Hoban

DRIVER Anthony Butt (Aust G1s 403: 72-54-51)

TAB fixed odds $151

“Magnificent effort from Shane Hoban to qualify this well travelled mare for such a massive final. From outside the draw however, she looks well out-classed.”

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