The SEN Track Inter Dominion officially launched yesterday so it’s the ideal time to rate my top chances in both the pacing and trotting divisions.
While the quality may not be elite in either division, I cannot recall a time when there were so many queries and so much uncertainty about who will win both finals.
Normally there’s at least one standout.
Sure, the best version of Bolt For Brilliance would have the trotting series at his mercy, but he’s no sure thing to even come to Victoria, let alone win it.
Champion horseman Tony Herlihy is racing time to resurrect the young trotting star after “gunk in his lungs” prematurely ended his NZ Cup Week raid, and hopes of winning the Group 1 Dominion Trot.
And the pacing series … well, where do you start? Who should even be favourite?
Here’s my thoughts in an SEN Track Inter Dominion where both the pacing and trotting series’ promise to evolve significantly as we move through the three rounds of heats and finals.
PACERS
1. MAJESTIC CRUISER (pictured): As if his Messenger win in NZ and Blacks A Fake triumphs weren’t enough, those two monstrous runs in defeat (NZ Cup and NZ FFA) last week were off the charts. Trainer Jason Grimson said last year’s Inter Dominion was the making of the horse and his form says so. He’s vulnerable in shorter races, but this final is a staying test. Everything says he’ll thrive on the four runs of the format and Grimson is becoming a genius in the biggest races. The one to beat come final day.
2. EXPENSIVE EGO: I love him, but I understand why many people don’t. Essentially, he’s been a money muncher since “winning” last year’s Inter Dominion final at Menangle, but losing it in the stewards’ room. Team McCarthy still can’t explain his woeful run in the Victoria Cup last month, but they’ve been deliriously happy with him either side of it. If the best version turns up, he’s the horse they all have to beat.
3. SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS: Had a glorious start to this year with some major wins and fantastic seconds to King Of Swing in the Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile. Rightly, he was anointed the heir apparent, but he hasn’t grabbed the crown. Queensland winter form was good without being great and he’s had a few hiccups since. The series badly needed him so it was great to see him back and winning well last Saturday night at Menangle.
4. BETTER ECLIPSE: He’s a ripper. Already a dual Group 1 winner this year in the Chariots Of Fire and Sunshine Sprint. Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars have really set their sights on this series with it being in their own backyard. They’re also confident he’ll cope with the four runs in a fortnight. Fast, strong and versatile. He’s sure to be a key player.
5. HONOLUA BAY: If the final was a sprint, he’d be higher up the ratings. But that’s the dilemma with this guy … he’s so fabulously brilliant, there is a query how tough he will be in staying tests. He’ll breeze through to the final with his speed, but they may have to drive him a bit differently come the big dance. He’ll also appreciate the recent grounding, which has really been his first in the big league.
6. I CAST NO SHADOW: Another of the Jason Grimson “transformation” factory, having left a top stable before going to another level. Grimson openly declares he loves this horse and has long had this series in mind. Sure, he had a great run, but there was still plenty to like about how he dug-in to win the Group 1 Len Smith Mile last time. He’s better in longer races, too, like many of Grimson’s horses.
TROTTERS
1. BOLT FOR BRILLIANCE (pictured): The right version would just win for fun. But to say he’s under a cloud is an understatement. We won’t know until early next week if he will even make the trip across from Auckland after a setback last week in Christchurch. We know this: if the great man Tony Herlihy does make the trip, then he thinks he can win. And he has previously spoken of this guy in the same league as Pride Of Petite and Buster Hanover.
2. QUEEN ELIDA: Brilliant mare really going places. Despite her relative inexperience, trainer Brent Lilley had really targeted this series being in his home state. Chris Alford says she’s as fast a trotter as he’s ever driven. It’ll be interesting how she goes if she gets into a dogfight at this early stage of her career. The one to beat, along with Just Believe, if the Kiwi doesn’t cross the ditch.
3. JUST BELIEVE: Chased home Greg Sugars (aboard Maori Law) when third in last year’s final and has since joined the stable Sugars and Jess Tubbs run. And what a move it’s been. To sit parked and control the Bill Collins Sprint like he did and win so well was a real statement. His versatility and class will take him a long way in this series.
4. MAJESTUOSO: One-time favourite for this series and rightly so with his stunning form in the biggest trotting races earlier this year. But he’s only raced four times since February and they were all below his best, owing to some back issues. The signs were encouraging when he savaged the line late at his first run back from a break at Melton last Saturday night. We know his best is good enough.
5. MUFASA METRO: Quality trotter, if not a tad one dimensional at the top level. You think he’d have to lead, or maybe trail the leader, to be a winning hope come final time. But that gate speed of his is a real weapon. And he can burn at the start and still finish off his races as he showed on Redwood Day.
The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.