RACE FIVE PACERS GRAND FINAL
NERANO (1) is the find of the Series after his final lead in run was when beaten 33m behind Leap To Fame in the Queensland Cup. Runner-up to the then Series favourite in Rd 1 when starting a $41 chance, he has won both subsequent heats, including over this trip last week when locked away three back on the fence. If the gap arrives at the right time, he is a huge threat.
TURN IT UP (2) just could not quite finish off over the closing stages in last week’s 2680 heat, but that might be more about the third run in a week catching up with him rather than the strength of the actual performance. Placed in both prior heats, he has raced this trip 7 times from the front line and led out of the barrier all 7, while in 33 front line appearances here, he has led off the arm in 32.
SWAYZEE (3) was able to win the opening night sprint heat when handed the front and once controlling the tempo, held on to score an easy victory. Grabbing 3rd on Night 2, his lack of gate speed was highlighted when buried from gate 1 in the final round. It has been a mammoth transformation with the 5YO by Jason Grimson and he is on the cusp of something special.
FUTURE ASSURED (4) was pigeonholed as an ideal miler and his Night 1 heat win over the short trip looked his crescendo. While he has not placed in either of the longer rounds, sectionally he has been super and he might just have the early speed to throw a spanner in the works.
LEAP TO FAME (6) is the only pacer to win all three heat rounds and in two of those rounds, produced the best winning time and biggest winning margins. Running hard up the stretch in 26.4 to shut them out over this trip last week with the plugs still in and under G Dixon full nelson grip, a big feature has deserted him all year, but this is Larry’s time.
KANENA PROVLIMA (7) earned his way to the Final after two placings, his 3rd behind Better Eclipse over this long trip a nice close out from deep in the pack. Gate 7 makes it a massive ask, but Josh Gallagher takes the drive and has the enviable record of one Grand Final win from one attempt.
CLASSIE WASHINGTON (8) has jumped out of the ground this Series and almost pulled off a huge upset on Night 3 over this Final distance. Out in front, it took Better Eclipse the entire straight to get to him and drawn to get every short cut, he can pinch some minor money off a soft trip.
SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (9) lines up in his third straight ID Grand Final and will be hoping to go better than his previous two unplaced returns. Runner-up in two heat rounds when only beaten a head on each occasion, he will be trying to push through hard at the start.
SPEAK THE TRUTH (10) was sectionally super over the sprint trip and then on Night 2 took full advantage in leading throughout. Peaking in the stretch over the 2680 but still holding on for 3rd, he will need plenty of favours from a tricky alley.
BETTER ECLIPSE (11) tipped to the outside with 600m to travel in Rd 3 and was able to get to the leader cheaply and then hold on for a narrow win, but it was in the sectionals report that highlighted how good the victory was- last half 53.71 wide out. Versatility is his go to, and driving what unfolds in front, the Candyman can.
PETES SAID SO (12) lines up in his second Inters Final and has been good through this Series. Runner-up in the two longer Heats when drawn the ace, he has been given no favours for the Final
OUR MONEY ROCKS (13) has been a revelation since joining the Thorn stable but has landed the worst possible blow when he needed favours. Game on Night 2 when stretching Leap To Fame, it looks a hurdle too high.
RACE 8 TROTTERS GRAND FINAL
MUFASA METRO (1) lines up in his second consecutive Inter Dominion Final after finishing 4th in the 2022 edition behind Just Believe. Placed in the first two rounds. He just missed 3rd in the last round. With great speed out of the barrier, he holds his own destiny with the chance to hold the front, release for the right trip and then see if he can issue a challenge.
FUNNY FACE (2) is an effective mare off speed and from this gate will be better suited than any of the barriers she has drawn through the Series to date. Strong to the line on Night 1, she has place claims with the right trip.
MAJESTIC LAVROS (3) has done what was needed to grab a ticket to the Final, his Rd 3 run when locked away on the poles, he found the class difference just a little too much. That gate helps his chances of grabbing a place.
JUST BELIEVE (4) came into the Series off one run back since a spell that had followed his European campaign. If that was an authoritative win in defeating Queen Elida, then his sweep of the Heats of this Series has been utter domination. In Rd 3, he put his rivals to the sword and Ollivici could not even get close. If he finds the front cheaply, just sit back and enjoy a top-class trotter in full flight.
QUEEN ELIDA (5) had to settle for 2nd in the first two heat rounds after starting a long odds-on favourite on each occasion. Bouncing back on Night 3 over the same trip as tonight’s Final, she looked much sharper in front to claim career win 31. The amazingly talented mare finished 3rd in last years Inter Final and it looks likely she has landed in the same era as a potential Champion.
OLLIVICI (6) was one of just two trotters going into the last Heat undefeated. After finding a nice spot in transit, when setting out after the leader, he could not bridge the deficit and had to settle for 2nd behind the superstar Just Believe. Finishing hard off a strong tempo in the 2138m round, he lands the widest gate of the main players as he tries to grab a thicker end of the minor money.
VAN SANK (7) has been just behind them in all three rounds and progresses to his biggest ever appearance without a placing. The outside front has made his task infinitely harder.
SIR FAHRENHEIT (8) has been super consistent leading into the Series and kept that going through the Heats. Runner-up to Just Believe on Night 1, he grabbed 3rd behind Queen Elida in Rd 3. Drawn for the soft trip, his place claims are strong.
PLYMOUTH CHUBB (10) caused the first-round boilover when rattling home off the speed to grab what appeared an unlikely victory with 200m to travel. Runner-up in both subsequent Heats, including pushing Just Believe all the way, the Queen of harness racing, Kerryn Manning takes the reins in search of Inter Dominion glory.
THEBESTBOURBON (11) has snuck through to the Final to fly the flag for NSW and will be partnered by Cam hart for the Final. Doing her best last week against the markers, she will be chasing short cuts again.
ADELLE (12) put her Final hopes in huge jeopardy when making an error soon after the start of the 2138m heat, finishing near the rear and copping the ODM embargo. Over the long trip in Rd 3, she was strong to the line in finishing 3rd and will be winding up in the closing stages again.
GUS (13) it has been a coming-of-age Series for the 4YO, his second-round effort when stretching Queen Elida and holding on for 3rd, an amazing performance. It is hard to fathom how far this trotter has come in 12 months, only starting his career this season.
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