Expensive Ego’s shock scratching from Saturday night’s Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup has opened the door for a local hope to get his shot at Victoria’s greatest race.
Supreme Dominator will take his place in gate 11 after the first emergency was vaulted into the field for Saturday night’s $500,000 Group 1 when Belinda McCarthy withdrew Expensive Ego.
Adam Hamilton reported that the camp said Expensive Ego hadn’t felt great in work this morning and his heart rate had been “up a bit”, prompting his scratching to instead prepare him for the Miracle Mile.
He had drawn gate seven last night, meaning the front row remains unchanged after his scratching with the exception of his absence from the widest draw.
But the back row will take on a new look, with Decron Cranbourne Pacing Cup winner Supreme Dominator now slotting into gate 11 between Willie Go West and Malcolms Rhythm for trainer Joe Pace and reinsman James Herbertson.
“I always thought he should have probably got a run,” Pace said. “I was a little disappointed after he was named as first emergency.
“He’s drawn 11 in the Hunter Cup and you have King Of Swing, Triple Eight and Spirit Of St Louis all drawn in front, so that’s going to make it hard.
“I think if he can get a good sit, if there’s good speed on up front and he gets a bit of luck he can run in the top half a dozen.”
It will be Pace’s first Hunter Cup runner and he’s looking forward to having a crack at the great race.
“I’ve been close with Forty Thieves, but just always a step away,” he said. “Supreme Dominator was always destined to be a Hunter Cup horse.
“The Hunter Cup is always won by the best horses. Over 2700 (metres), it’s not for the ill-fated.”