2001 Pacers Series
Albion Park, Brisbane

 
2001 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Series  $800,000
Heats:  21, 24, 28 April 2001
(Nine heats of $30,000 each. Grand Final of $500,000)

Final:   5 May 2001
   

It should be understood by all that in order for this industry to flourish, the sport needs the support of an audience that includes more than those passionate regulars who make up the backbone of harness racing. We simply cannot limit our presentation of our racing to insiders.

This is why the Grand Circuit is so important in promoting the major event(s) in each of the States and New Zealand. Like a golden thread, the circuit links these premier events together with the annual Inter Dominion Carnival the jewel in our harness racing crown, providing opportunities for casual followers to turn out and see the best horses in the southern hemisphere compete.

In the face of today’s incredible opposition from television and all kinds of other Government supported competition for the entertainment dollar, the work that goes on behind the scenes to promote an annual Inter Dominion is a new challenge with each passing year. Perhaps some host clubs are in a position to do it better than others.

However, it goes unsaid that with each year the host club sets out to better the previous carnival – a goal that captures the imagination of the many faceless people behind the scenes.

Albion Park Harness Racing Club is indeed fortunate to have former race caller Damian Raedler its secretary-manager for a period that is now almost two decades.

Seeing numerous Inter Dominions come and go through the eyes of this experienced operator enables his club to make calm judgements.

Having Australia’s best harness track is a major plus, but this club, while keeping to within the tradition of the annual series, is not backward in taking a punt if Raedler and his committee believe it will work.



Yulestar NZ - 2001 Inter Dominion Pacing Champion

For example, take this latest carnival, which opened on April 21. To provide a betting ring for the many visitors and locals that might make it noted for the competition and strength of its bookmakers, the club recruited leading bookmakers from thoroughbred and greyhound racing codes to compete for the betting dollar with the best of our operators. In the following pages you will learn why this mix for two weeks provided the strongest betting ring in modern day harness racing.

After years of there being no races for trotters in Queensland, the rather modest comeback of this handsome gait there did not prevent the APHRC from putting its hand up to conduct a Trotters Inter Dominion for the first time. For many in the Sunshine State, this would be their first real glimpse of top class trotters in action. The club took a punt, and backed a winner with the support of interstate and Kiwi owners and trainers.

When seeking a major sponsor for the Brisbane Inter Dominion, Raedler and his committee needed to look no further than to one of the State’s leading owners. Dean Shannon and his wife Kelly operate the company Toast.com. Operating a successful computer communications company is their bread and butter, but their passion is harness racing. At the time the opening heats of the carnival began, the Shannon’s owned 70 standardbreds, this included the smart three-year-old Scott McLeod NZ, and an Inter Dominion starter named Holm For Xmas NZ.

It was two months since the dust had settled on Melbourne’s Night Of Glory Carnival at Moonee Valley. Such a break to the Grand Circuit is most unusual at this time of the year. Most years the prestigious Inter carnival follows soon after the A.G. Hunter Cup. For many stables, such a break leading up to an Inter Dominion carnival was a welcome relief, allowing the opportunity of a freshen-up of their pacers for the gruelling two weeks of racing in Australasia’s biggest championship.

One notable absentee from the carnival was the highly promising Black Cam NZ. There had been a change of plan for the horse following its disappointing effort in the A.G. Hunter Cup. Instead of leaving the pacer in Australia with Mark Purdon to be prepared for the Brisbane Inter Dominion, veteran American owner Joe Muscara, following his horse finishing well back in the Hunter Cup, had a change of plan. He had requested the horse be sent across to the States on the first available plane.

The very week the Brisbane Carnival was to open, Black Cam NZ started a 4/5 favourite in Pennsylvania at The Meadows and beat a handy field in the quick time of 1:53.6. It was just its second start in the USA and followed a second on debut when having its first start in two months. After the win, its new trainer, Bob Corey, said he believed the horse had a great deal of improvement in him.

Queensland-owned Courage Under Fire NZ was ready and waiting to take on the southern horses and the Kiwi invaders. It had purposely missed the Hunter Cup for the five-year-old to be especially prepped by Brian Hancock to concentrate on this series. Hancock had become the most successful horseman in Inter Dominion history, so it was difficult for anyone to be critical of his planning to avoid the gruelling Melbourne two-miler with horses he trained.

The three rounds of heats would open with sprint racing over 1609m, with a random draw deciding barrier positions. The following six heats over two nights stepped up in distances. Tuesday’s second round was over 2138m, and the following Saturday night moved up to 2647m. This was hardly the staying test some New Zealand stables were accustomed with. Importantly, the draw for both these nights was on stakemoney won, automatically relegating the most successful pacers to the second row. After a week’s break, the top points scorers in the heats would face up to the starter in the Grand Final over 2647m.

Rod Osborne, the former Victorian and Queensland steward and now Queensland Director of Racing, announced the day prior to the carnival opening that all Inter Dominion starters would be drug-tested pre-race the following night, as would all placegetters after each race. "The Government’s Racing Science Centre is co-operating magnificently and staff will even work on Sunday to ensure results are known before the second round of heats next Tuesday," he said.

Osborne warned that hefty double penalties would be introduced for any swab offences. "Drivers will also be advised they can expect increased penalties for any interference in the Inter Dominion heats and Grand Final," he added. The tough stance being adopted by the Albion Park Harness Racing Club was warmly welcomed by most participants and racegoers.

In any racetrack discussion with leading drivers, Albion Park comes out a clear top pick as Australia’s premier track. Yet, some members of the national media seem to take great delight peddling the myth that it is strictly a front-runner’s circuit. The stark reality is that when good horses and good drivers come together, the best horses will win from just about any barrier. At this level, there is less chance of leaders being permitted to get away with slow tactics when their drivers attempt to turn events into a sprint to the winning post. Experienced drivers back in fields are always more likely to take up the challenge to do something about it.

The barrier draws for all heats were made public before the series began, a decision that had its share of critics in providing such information to participating stables. If there did exist any truth to the second line draw at Albion Park being a ‘horror’, how unlucky were Atitagain NZ, Shakamaker, Courage Under Fire NZ, Yulestar NZ and Safe And Sound? Each of these top class pacers in the random draw for the opening heat had come up with second line positions. On prizemoney won, each would also start off the second row in their remaining heats having (along with Holmes D G NZ) banked more earnings than their rivals, automatically earning to be in the draw for the back row and one horse on the outside of the front.

Brisbane’s Courier-Mail on the morning of the opening round of heats over 1609m, under a large headline proclaimed: "Early pace wins the race." It predicted that horses, which can hold a first-four position, would dominate that night’s heats. "At Inter Dominion level, those drawn the second row find it difficult to make ground in sprints against rivals of similar ability." The article went on to claim that the main fancies – Atitagain NZ, Courage Under Fire NZ, Yulestar NZ, Shakamaker, along with stablemate Safe And Sound, should be placed in the category of being a big risk over the sprint journey. In the random barrier draw, each of these five pacers would line up on the second line.

The article claimed that the well supported Holmes D G NZ would set the pattern leading throughout in the first of the heats from barrier two. "He rated 1:54.6 in an all-the-way 1760m Harold Park win (Miracle Mile) and is capable of going even faster on this much quicker Brisbane circuit."

Some bookmakers obviously agreed with this assessment. A week earlier Holmes D G NZ was quoted at 14/1 in early markets. After the barrier draws were made public, its price was slashed to 7/1 to win the Grand Final. It was made 4/5 favourite in the opening heat after drawing alley two, with Atitagain NZ on the inside of the second line in this heat. The Courier-Mail’s preview went on: "Ace Sydney driver Dennis Wilson will need all his skill to get Atitagain NZ into a place, with Wilson’s best chance tonight being stablemate Zyuganov Leis, drawn barrier one in the second heat."

There was a similar belief in Albion Park’s alleged reputation as a leader’s track down in Melbourne. Writing in Harness Racing Weekly, John Dunne’s preview of the first night began with: "Standout favourites – Atitagain NZ and Shakamaker – have both eased in betting for the Inter Dominion Grand Final after horror draws in the opening round of heats over the flying mile. With the pair having to contend with second row draws for all three rounds of heats, leading bookmaker Philip Nott reacted this week by easing the series’ favourite Atitagain NZ from 5/2 out to 11/4, and Shakamaker from 7/2 to 4/1."

One noted harness racing authority who strongly disagreed with any journalistic license that there existed a bias at Albion Park’s circuit was the man who designed and helped construct the track – Sydney civil engineer Bede Ireland F.I.E. (Aust.). Just prior to the club moving from 10 horses across the front row to the present eight, Ireland released statistics of the previous 700 races decided at Albion Park. The winners were so evenly spread amongst all barriers that the most successful winning alley had just 12 percent of the winning statistics, and the worst result was a respectful 8 percent winning average.

Speaking before the carnival opened, Ireland said it was a myth to believe the Brisbane track favoured front-runners any more than other major tracks in the country. "And a myth, or even a half-truth, can be likened to a half-brick. You can throw it a lot further. This misconception can be widely spread if not nipped in the bud." The track designer added: "I hope some of those gentlemen who write about horses being greatly disadvantaged on the second line at Albion Park, follow where the heat winners start from. With the best performed pacers having drawn the second line in the heats, I believe the majority of this series will see the winners come from the back row."

Pre-race betting on any Inter Dominion Championship is usually keen, with most stable supporters always on the look out to collect over-the-odds with their fancy. With the likes of Shakamaker, Atitagain NZ and Yulestar NZ being the main chances with most bookmakers, there were attractive odds to be had for horses further down in the betting. The first significant move had come for Canadian-bound Cee New York NZ, trained in Victoria by Michael Langdon. It was claimed on the eve of the carnival that a win by this horse in the Grand Final would collect as much as $500,000 in betting. It had been a spectacular move that had taken bookmakers by surprise, as its form this past year was that of a horse just a level below Grand Circuit racing.

There can be many twists and turns before and during an Inter Dominion series. Often a pre-race favourite will be displaced from that lofty position after only one or two heats. It may be a case of punters in pre-race moves backing the early favourite, only to find after a heat or two that bookmakers have extended their price to much longer odds than before the series opened. That’s what an Inter Dominion Championship is all about, when the best horses from both countries do battle over three nights of heats in the first week. Some hardy individuals will thrive on such a program, while others, highly fancied going into the series, will have their form taper off.

OPENING NIGHT

The best performed pacers had been evenly spread throughout all three heats on each of the three rounds. Collectively, the best performed seven of the fancied eight had dominated Grand Circuit racing since the retirement of Our Sir Vancelot NZ. The records of each of these seven were highly impressive.

Defending Inter Dominion Champion Shakamaker had won 32 of his 45 starts, with 11 placings. His prizemoney now stood at $1,676,525, with a best mile rate of 1:55.0.

Holmes D G NZ had already banked $1,471,213 for winning 25 of its 52 starts, with 11 placings. Its back-to-back Miracle Miles was the highlight of its career to date. Earlier in this Grand Circuit season it took its race record to 1:54.6 with that second success in the premier sprint.

Courage Under Fire NZ had the most successful juvenile record yet seen in Australasia. Most of its $1,127,789 had come from remaining unbeaten at two and three. The horse had not been anywhere as dominant when racing against open class, its record now at 41 starts for 32 wins and two placings, with a fastest mile rate of 1:54.6.

Since moving to Australia as a three-year-old, Atitagain NZ had been a respected pacer. It had never raced better than this present season, confirming the horse had indeed stepped up to a higher level. It would go into the series with earnings of $502,829 for 22 wins from 63 starts, and a promise of more to come. It was also the only one of the top eight pacers to have chalked up more placings than victories. It also seemed likely that its fastest mile rate of 1:57.0 might also be lowered racing on the fast Albion Park track.

Yulestar NZ had come a long way in the past two years, now having won 18 of its 44 starts, with nine placings. Its prizemoney of $834,077 was also likely to be boosted in the near future. Rated a strong stayer, this gelding had showed its versatility with its best mile rate of 1:55.6.

The Victorian stable of John Justice had two of the top eight horses, with Safe And Sound a mighty fine second string. It had raced 61 times for 28 wins, 22 placings, stakemoney of $574,762, and a fastest mile rate of 1:57.0.

Breenys Fella NZ had his recent problems. Still, the horse had established a record of 25 wins from 75 starts, with 19 placings. Its earnings stood at $658,979, with a fastest mile rate of 1:57.3. It had won the 2000 Victoria Cup, and had on several occasions been rather unlucky in major events.

Persistency was the only one of the eight still to win on the Grand Circuit. Serious injury had seen it sidelined for much of the past two years, thus robbing it of opportunities to compete on the Grand Circuit at a time when it might well have been at its peak. It had won 22 of 35 starts with seven placings, for stakes of $345,277. Its best mile rate to date was 1:56.1.

If the pre-race market on the first heat of the pacer’s championship was any guide, this would be a two-horse affair with Holmes D G NZ an odds-on favourite, and Atitagain NZ the only other, apart from Breenys Fella NZ, in the market. The barrier draw and the betting was: 20/1 Back O Benachie NZ, 4/5 fav. Holmes D G NZ, 10 Lombo Rapida, 8 Breenys Fella NZ, 14 Hit The Spot, 200 Jaccka Smile NZ, 20 Jonells Son and 20 Holm For Xmas NZ. Second row: 7/4 Atitagain NZ, 20 Cigar NZ, 20 Ablazin Star, 500 Trois Frere.

This would be the first time that Holmes D G NZ and Atitagain NZ had clashed in a sprint race since that incredible finish to the Miracle Mile almost six months earlier. Barry Purdon was of course delighted at drawing barrier two. "I could not be happier with the horse as it has trialled well and has settled in nicely. With the draw on my side, I am hoping for a repeat of the Miracle Mile finish," added the trainer-driver. Following its impressive win at Moonee Valley on February 17, Holmes D G NZ had finished sixth in the Hunter Cup after suffering a slight check at the start.

Dennis Wilson had planned for Atitagain NZ to peak during the championship. After several weeks off following the Treuer Memorial, it had won over 2540m at Bankstown on January 25 before its Victoria Cup third to Shakamaker, and its last-start fifth in the Hunter Cup to Another Party NZ.

In his preview of the heats, media personality Marshall Dobson selected Holmes D G NZ to lead all the way in the first heat. In placing it ahead of the Wilson representative, he said: "Atitagain NZ will need a touch of luck to get into the placings from inside the second line behind only a modest beginner in Back O Benachie NZ."

Dennis Wilson would later reveal how after hearing such comments from one with an in-depth knowledge of Brisbane racing, he had been pondering over his best course of action having drawn behind this slow beginner. In the 24 hours before the race, he crossed paths with a well known Victorian punter with a reputation for studying the lead times of every horse at a meeting he is involved with. The punter told Wilson that no matter what might have been written or said about the Victorian horse drawn the pole, Back O Benachie NZ would lead this field out and Wilson should simply follow it at the start.

"This was the reassurance I needed," Wilson later explained. "Later, I thought when lining up, that I might as well poke up there and see what happens. About this time I became further reassured to notice that Kerryn Gath (Back O Benachie NZ) had her whip up in the air. It was a sure sign she was about to make a determined effort to hold the lead, which she did easily over Holmes D G NZ. Then, just after the start, Craig Demmler (Breenys Fella NZ) did me the biggest favour of all when he tightened them all up on the first turn. It was very tight for a few moments with Holmes D G NZ putting me over the pegs. I just had to get out of there or go down."

Wilson got Atitagain NZ out of there as quickly as possible. At the first sign of space to pull out three wide, Atitagain NZ scooted away from its rivals to win the first heat comfortably from Lombo Rapida and Back O Benachie NZ. Then came Holmes D G NZ, Cigar NZ, Trois Frere, Breenys Fella NZ, Jaccka Smile NZ, Jonells Son, Hit The Spot, Holm For Xmas NZ and Ablazin Star. The winner’s time was 1:55.1. In claiming its fastest ever time, Atitagain NZ had started from barrier nine. Barry Purdon blamed himself for Holmes D G NZ not making the most of its barrier position. "I misjudged the computer mobile start."

Heat 2 brought together a field of considerable depth with the horse in barrier two again made favourite. The big names of Yulestar NZ, Safe And Sound, and Courage Under Fire NZ, would all line up on the second line. As a result of this, bookmakers quoted each at tempting odds.

The field and pre-race betting was: 7/1 Zyuganov Leis, 6/4 fav. Cee New York NZ, 200 Franco Lotsmore NZ, 100 Greek Gambit, 50 Drop Dead Gorgeous, 33 Flight South NZ, 16 The Major Bid NZ and 50 Friends For Life. Second line: 5 Safe And Sound, 4 Yulestar NZ, 25 Bancoora Next and 6 Courage Under Fire NZ.

The spectacular betting plunge earlier launched on Cee New York NZ surprised not only local bookmakers, but some enthusiasts back in Victoria. The six-year-old gelded son of New York Motoring had never really lived up to its early promise, though its latest form was encouraging. It had followed a Cranbourne third to Go Charles NZ, with a Moonee Valley win in March in the quick time of 1:56.3. At its only start since, the horse had beaten an ordinary field at Albion Park the previous month.

The pole marker, Zyuganov Leis, had a week or so before leaving for Brisbane given trainer Dennis Wilson a scare when it had gone very ordinarily in a trial. "He was a worry at the time, not so much if he was unwell, or not fit. He was simply a bit funny in his action. Whatever the chiropractor has done with his course of acupuncture has worked on what appears to have been a pinched muscle. Since then he has worked a treat, and will not be far off his absolute best going into the first heat," he said.

The first three placings would be filled by pacers starting from the second row. Trapped three wide for a time when trying to improve his position early, Brian Hancock was fortunate in dropping Courage Under Fire NZ into the one-out one-back position going down the back straight the last time when Cee New York NZ started to run up the white flag. The former champion youngster dashed away to win over Yulestar NZ and Safe And Sound. It was a significant win for Hancock personally, as he had established a new record with his 21st victory in an Inter Dominion heat.

Fourth in was Zyuganov Leis, from The Major Bid NZ, Bancoora Next, Cee New York NZ, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Friends For Life, Franco Lotsmore NZ and Flight South NZ. The mighty midget in winning had clocked a time of 1:54.9. If this was a mighty fine time in the minds of punters and bookmakers, it was about to be lowered even further.

It had been a great night’s racing with an action-packed program. And Heat 3 promised much with the clash of Shakamaker and Persistency in what was far from a two-horse race. In the past, the million dollar mare Tailamade Lombo usually produced her best when racing at Albion Park, and her best was significantly better than what she had shown on trips across to Perth. Also in this heat were the improving Wally Walton, Pocket Me NZ (stablemate of the top trotter Lyell Creek NZ), and the Tony Herlihy-driven Pic Me Pockets NZ.

The barrier draw with pre-race betting was: 3/1 Wally Walton, 7 Pic Me Pockets NZ, 100 Warman, 8 Pocket Me NZ, 4 Persistency, 100 Camsplace Alec NZ, 33 Go Charles NZ, 200 Piccini. Second line: 12 Tailamade Lombo, 33 Show Of Hands, 25 Ouch NZ and 7/4 fav. Shakamaker.

Anthony Butt stoked up Pocket Me NZ, and the Kiwi came out flying from gate four, racing away to a clear early lead. Butt it seemed was prepared to reel off several sections in fast time in his surprising tactics of an opening night to run the opposition ragged. While the action was fast and furious up front, the favourite had found himself stuck in a traffic jam back near the rear, hindered by a 100/1 plugger blocking its way. When Justice finally did his Houdini trick and worked his horse out of the pocket, with great haste Shakamaker was forced wide to make up ground, so wide that some locals believed it was the widest they could remember a horse travelling in a major race on this track.

In a display of sustained speed, Pocket Me NZ reached the winning post ahead of Tailamade Lombo and Wally Walton, stopping the clock at 1:53.7. This had been made up of quarters in 27.3, 29.3, 28.6, and 28.4. Shakamaker lost no admirers, with the favourite having been clocked closing out its last quarter in 26.8 making up considerable ground to finish fourth. Then came: Persistency, Show Of Hands, Pic Me Pockets NZ, Ouch NZ, Camsplace Alec NZ, Piccini, Go Charles NZ and Warman.

It is customary in most Inter Dominion Championships for drivers to concentrate on earning points without challenging the clock. With so much racing ahead, points were more important than fast times. Anthony Butt had a reason when stepping this horse out on Australasia’s fastest track to grab a quick time. Several visiting Americans had shown an interest in purchasing this horse, and nothing it seems impresses Americans more than a horse capable of making time. Butt later admitted he was extremely surprised when he found the horse had paced its mile in 1:53.7. However, he and the stable were quick to talk up the effort with the Americans, as it was believed the asking price was in excess of $200,000.

Leading the progressive points were the three winners, each on 13 – Atitagain NZ, Courage Under Fire NZ and Pocket Me NZ. At the other end of the scale, the three to earn just one point each did include Auckland Cup winner Flight South NZ, who obviously was not noted as a sprinter. The other pair were Ablazin Star and Warman.

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SECOND NIGHT

Stewards probably saved several Inter Dominion pacers the embarrassment of missing a start when the moved to delay the last seven races by a half hour. A group of horses from the stables of Victorian trainers Andy Gath and his father-in-law Peter Manning, along with ex-Victorian Trevor Patching, were in the one float that became caught up in a southside traffic jam taking them to Albion Park.

The clashing of four of the top eight performers in the sixth and final heat on the Tuesday night’s racing did suggest that the first two heats of the second night did not have the depth and the evenness of the heats of opening night. For this reason, Tailamade Lombo was installed favourite, just ahead of Holmes D G NZ in the first of the night’s heats.

The barrier draw and early betting on Heat 4: 33/1 Camsplace Alec NZ, 12 Back O Benachie NZ, 10 Ablazin Star, 9/2 Ouch NZ, 33 Show Of Hands, 14 Wally Walton, 50 Drop Dead Gorgeous, 4 Safe And Sound. Second row: 16 Bancoora Next, 7/2 fav. Tailamade Lombo, 4/1 Holmes D G NZ, 25 Zyuganov Leis. With Barry and brother Mark Purdon both having drives in this heat, Brian Hancock was asked to drive Camsplace Alec NZ from the pole. The local horse Drop Dead Gorgeous was a scratching from this heat.

Cut-throat tactics by early tearaways Back O Benachie NZ and Ablazin Star ensured this heat was run at break-neck speed. John Justice usually prefers to have Safe And Sound doing things tough, but his decision to work away and go up three wide outside the two leaders was suicide tactics. Such tactics were playing into the hands of Tailamade Lombo and Holmes D G NZ. Barry Purdon knew the three up front could not be expected to sustain such speed, and bided his time with ‘Holmes’, like a hungry tiger ready to pounce.

Chris Alford had good reason to be feeling satisfied as he worked the millionaire mare into the race between horses. This would change in the blink of an eye. Approaching the final bend, just when Purdon was winding his horse up for a big sprint home, Tailamade Lombo was slightly tightened when Alford was trying to get clear. It was later reported there had been a minor gear problem. For whatever reason, the mare broke, galloping her way out the back.

Holmes D G NZ sprinted home hard, with almost half the field having been softened up early. The twice Miracle Mile winner reeled off a last quarter 28.5 to win comfortably over his brother Mark’s Ouch NZ, with Wally Walton a nose away third. The mile rate for the 2138m was a fast 1:55.2 Because of the unusual tactics employed by several drivers, it was no surprise this was another winner from the second row, having started from barrier 11.

Others: Zyuganov Leis, Camsplace Alec NZ, Bancoora Next, Show Of Hands, Back O Benachie NZ, Ablazin Star, Safe And Sound, and Tailamade Lombo. The mile rate was 1:55.2. Because of their rearward finishes, both Tailamade Lombo and Safe And Sound after two nights were in danger of not reaching the Grand Final. Both would need to capture big points in Saturday night’s final round of heats.

Heat 5 would include the much awaited meeting of Shakamaker and Yulestar NZ. It was generally expected Yulestar NZ would be a real improver as the series wore on, as that was how the horse had raced since making it through to Grand Circuit level. If there had been some fans at the Melbourne Grand Final the previous season then prepared to rate Shakamaker as No1 pacer in Australasia, their faith would have been tested with its defeats in the Miracle Mile, the WA Pacing Cup and the Hunter Cup. He was probably the most consistent of the big names, never putting in a poor effort. But just when this magnificent stallion was ready to be acclaimed the best, the horse had shown it was mortal after all.

Barriers and pre-race betting on this heat were: 150/1 Warman, 50 Friends For Life, 66 Jaccka Smile NZ, 150 Piccini, 20 Hit The Spot, 10 The Major Bid NZ, 25 Flight South, 3/1 Yulestar NZ. Second line: 6/4 fav. Shakamaker, 5 Lombo Rapida, 4 Pocket Me NZ, 33 Cigar NZ.

Treating the seven pacers drawn inside of him with some contempt, Tony Shaw kept Yulestar NZ going forward from alley eight. For almost a lap the driver pressed on before sweeping to the lead 1400m from home. During the mid stages of the heat, Anthony Butt sent Pocket Me NZ forward, with Cigar NZ (Mark Purdon) latching on to its back. John Justice was driving Shakamaker with more restraint that he did when steering Safe And Sound. To some, he may well have seemed to be overdoing these tactics, giving Yulestar NZ more than 20m start at the bell lap.

Rounding the hometurn, Yulestar NZ was travelling like a winner, until Shakamaker loomed up with a powerful finish to go on and win by almost three metres, with a similar margin to Lombo Rapida. The mile rate of 1:55.2 showed just how Yulestar NZ had maintained the speed up front after the early leaders had paced the first quarter in 28.7, then followed up with 29.8 and 29.1. That flashing finishing by the winner took 28.9 for the last quarter.

On bringing ‘Shaka’ back to Victory Lane, Justice told the waiting media: "He wasn’t really entitled to win. Had he finished second to Yulestar NZ, it would have been a great job. But to give Yulestar NZ so much start and still beat him, was really something. Yulestar NZ is no slouch, and I gave him some seven metres coming into the straight."

Bookmakers betting on the Grand Final had for some days been almost divided on Atitagain NZ and Shakamaker the honour of outright favourite. Again the top of their board was changed, with Shakamaker moving slightly ahead on top of their boards having been credited with a mile rate of 1:55.2.

In picking up more points for its third, Lombo Rapida was on target to make it through to the Grand Final. Its usually better performed stablemate Tailamade Lombo was now having a battle on her hands to finish with sufficient points after two heats because of finishing last in her second heat. Cigar NZ had fought on stoutly to be fourth, with Pocket Me NZ struggling to finish in front of five rivals. Barrier 9 had not only supplied the winner of two heats, but second had come from barrier 8, and third from barrier 10.

Others: Cigar NZ, Jaccka Smile NZ, Warman, Pocket Me NZ, Hit The Spot, Flight South NZ, The Major Bid NZ, Friends For All, Piccini. Mile rate 1:55.2. A pre-race swab taken from Sydney pacer Jaccka Smile NZ caused some concern when it was just below the threshold. Chief steward Norm Torpey ordered further tests after the first abnormality appeared over its bicarbonate. Stewards later cleared the horse to contest the third round of heats when the ‘all-clear’ was given from the laboratory.

Queensland has never had an Inter Dominion winner. After the opening night’s racing, it was not surprising that Courage Under Fire NZ had become the hero for so many enthusiasts in the Sunshine State. Heat 6 would see Brian Hancock and the mighty midget go up against Atitagain NZ, Persistency and Breenys Fella NZ. So impressed had bookmakers been with the win by Courage Under Fire NZ, that in betting for the Tuesday night racing, the pocket dynamo was pressing Atitagain NZ for favouritism in this heat.

Persistency was racing for Victoria where it had been bred and raised. It was trained and driven by Gavin Lang. One of its part-owners, former Melbourne bookmaker Tom Hogan, was now living on the Gold Coast. Considered to be one of the most successful punters on harness racing, his buying into Grand Circuit horses had been tinged with bad luck. Franco Ice NZ had been a Grand Circuit winner and considered to have had champion qualities when a serious injury brought its career to an early conclusion. Persistency was also plagued by injury, but just might give the man they called ‘Tara Tom’, a starter in this Grand Final.

Barriers and betting on the final heat of the second night: 100/1 Holm For Xmas NZ, 10 Cee New York NZ, 12 Jonells Son, 50 Trois Frere, 16 Go Charles NZ, 25 Pic Me Pockets NZ, 200 Greek Gambit, 300 Franco Lotsmore NZ. Second row: 6 Persistency, 6/4 fav. Atitagain NZ, 7/4 Courage Under Fire NZ, 14 Breenys Fella NZ.

In the final hour of betting before this heat, Persistency came in for some inspired betting, suggesting the horse would do better over the longer journey. It was not known whether the big-betting part-owner Tom Hogan was responsible for much of this. Considering trainer-driver Lang believed the horse was improving with racing, this was very much likely to have been the case.

When Cee New York NZ went straight to the front, the plunge horse from two weeks earlier might have given some bookies a few butterflies in their stomach, until out of the pack emerged Atitagain NZ to race up on the outside of the leader. There had been some handy amounts bet on this horse to win the Grand Final, so either of these leaders would give them a bad result if successful in the Grand Final. In making a bee-line for the ‘death’, Dennis Wilson was seemingly content to control the heat from this position. It was the drive of a horseman who knows his horse can meet whatever challenge might be thrown at him. Persistency was three back along the inside pegs.

Up the home straight Atitagain NZ was given more rein, and the NSW pacer moved clear. It was only for a brief moment when Persistency finally got clear, that a close finish seemed likely. The Victorian pacer finished fast to get within a metre of the winner on the line. Cee New York NZ hung on much better this time to be three metres away third. The mile rate for the 2183m was 1:57.3.

After two exciting rounds of heats, Atitagain NZ remained the only unbeaten pacer in the championship, with now enough points to have guaranteed it a place in the Grand Final, no matter what might happen that Saturday night. "Our main aim through the early part of the series," explained Wilson, "was to try and get the most points with the easiest possible runs." The stables of the two placegetters – Persistency and Cee New York NZ – both expressed their delight in the improvement of their pacers. The big disappointment was Courage Under Fire NZ. These past 12 months the smallish stallion had become quite an enigmatic racehorse.

Others: Holm For Christmas NZ, Courage Under Fire NZ, Breenys Fella NZ, Go Charles NZ, Jonells Son, Trois Frere, Pic Me Pockets NZ, Greek Gambit, and Franco Lotsmore NZ. The mile rate was 1:57.3. The quarters told the story how there had been no real speed on early, with the first two quarters of the final mile in only 31.0, 31.5, with a fast half in quarters of 28.5 and a brilliant 27.0.

After two rounds of heats, three major performers were struggling to get through to the Grand Final, with Breenys Fella NZ, Safe And Sound, along with Tailamade Lombo, each needing valuable points in Saturday’s final round of heats.

Progressive points: 26 Atitagain NZ. 22 Holmes D G NZ, Shakamaker & Yulestar NZ. 21 Courage Under Fire NZ, Lombo Rapida. 20 Wally Walton. 19 Pocket Me NZ, Persistency. 18 Zyuganov Leis.17 Cigar NZ. 16.5 Ouch NZ. 16 Cee New York NZ. 15 Back O Benachie NZ. 14 Bancoora Next, Show Of Hands. 13 Breenys Fella NZ, Safe And Sound, Tailamade Lombo & Jaccka Smile NZ. 12 Camsplace Alec NZ. 11 The Major Bid NZ, Holm For Xmas, Trois Frere & Jonells Son. 8.5 Pic Me Pockets NZ.

THIRD NIGHT

At every Inter Dominion Series only a handful horses will be poised to make it through to the Grand Final because of a healthy number of points already gleaned from the first two rounds of heats. At the other end of the scale there will be those where opportunities have passed them by. In between these two groups remain a grey area. A big showing in their third and final heat could propel several of these into the 12 finalists.

Defending champion Shakamaker confirmed he was on target for back-to-back titles when he won Heat 7 decisively from Persistency and Cee New York NZ. Justice had worked his five-year-old stallion into a handy trail. Instead of saving his horse for a late sprint, the Victorian horseman surprisingly made his move a long way from home. The horse showed remarkable fight to finish the race off strongly. Later, when asked why he had gone so far from home, Justice replied how he was sure his rivals would have made things tough on him if he had elected to stay in that position much longer. In finishing with 35 points, ‘Shaka’ had in all three heats been asked to have dug deep into its reserves.

There was a piece of drama immediately after this heat when Shakamaker bit the clerk of course on his leg. Dexter McLean was rushed to St Andrews Hospital for treatment where he underwent an operation. The club’s on-course veterinarian, Jack Groenendyk, had for several years been doubling as assistant to the clerk of course. That night he completed the meeting as a reliable stand-in for McLean.

Heat 7: 4/5 fav. Shakamaker (John Justice), 1; 7/2 Persistency (Gavin Lang), 2; 14/1 Cee New York NZ (Michael Langdon), 3. Others: 10 Pic Me Pockets NZ, 40 Back) Benachie NZ, 66 Bancoora Next, 25 Zyuganov Leis, 40 Ablazin Star, 200 Franco Lotsmore NZ, 200 Greek Gambit, 200 Holm For Xmas NZ, 10 Jonells Son (failed to finish). Mile rate 1:58. 3. The first two placings both started from the second line, 9 and 12.

Heat 8 failed to make it any clearer which of Shakamaker or Atitagain NZ deserved favouritism for the Grand Final, as Atitagain NZ in winning its last heat had gone through all three nights undefeated. That he had won unextended, was impressive. But was it any more impressive than Shakamaker in the previous heat?

"Once my horse led, it made things a lot easier, because he is such a tough horse to get past," trainer-driver Dennis Wilson told the press. The previous horse to win all heats and go on and claim the big one had been Village Kid back in 1986. "Gee, said Wilson, when reminded of this fact, added: "That puts Atitagain NZ in illustrious company when you start talking about Village Kid. I just hope now that he can go all the way."

The Victorian Wally Walton fought on hard to be second in this heat, with Tailamade Lombo third. Unfortunately, for owner Mick Lombardo, the 10 points for third would later see the bonny mare fail to make the Grand Final by just one point. Top New Zealand pacer Yulestar NZ, a noted stayer, weakened slightly in the run home to finish fourth after looming up on the home-turn when it briefly challenged Atitagain NZ.

Heat 8: 8/11 fav. Atitagain NZ (Dennis Wilson), 1; 12 Wally Walton (M. Gath), 2, 14 Tailamade Lombo (Chris Alford), 3. Others: 5/2 Yulestar NZ, 9 Ouch NZ, 12 Safe And Sound (John Justice), 20 The Major Bid NZ, 50 Camsplace Alec NZ, 100 Friends For Life, 200 Warman, 80 Flight South NZ. Mile rate 1:59.0. The winner had come from gate 8, and the third horse from barrier 11.

Holmes D G NZ was all the rage in the betting ring for the last throw of the dice for horses to make next week’s Grand Final. Heat 9 would bring together the twice winner of a Miracle Mile with the now local hero Courage Under Fire NZ, Pocket Me NZ and Breenys Fella NZ.

The pint-sized Courage Under Fire NZ was right at its brilliant best, holding off a late surge from Breenys Fella NZ. The winner’s mile rate of 1:56.9 for the 2767m broke the track record for this distance set by Jack Morris NZ when winning the previous Inter Dominion title at Albion Park in 1993. At the presentation, Brian Hancock told the public: "This one’s for you, Mum." His mother Cassie had died only days earlier at her home in Junee.

Hancock was now convinced he had Courage Under Fire NZ right at its peak. "I really think I will be back here again next Saturday night, as the horse is right on target." The trainer-driver added how his horse was now entitled to be a lot more than just the sentimental favourite to win the $500,000 championship. Bookmakers did not really agree, maintaining the contest between Atitagain NZ and Shakamaker for the top spot on their prices.

The effort of Breenys Fella NZ against demonstrated how this Victorian was always capable of pulling a big one out when backed into a corner. Its 11 points for second would enable it to grab 12th and last position in the Grand Final on a countback from Zyuganov Leis, both finishing on 24 points. Lombo Rapida again was brave in defeat when finishing third.

Heat 9: 9/2 Courage Under Fire NZ (Brian Hancock), 1; 9 Breenys Fella NZ (Craig Demmler), 2; 20 Lombo Rapida (Kerryn Gath), 3. Others: 11/4 Pocket Me NZ, 7/4 fav. Holmes D G NZ, 66 Go Charles NZ, 200 Trois Frere, 200 Jaccka Smile NZ, 150 Hit The Spot, 40 Cigar NZ, 20 Show Of Hands. (Piccini, scratched). Mile rate 1:56.9 (track record). The winner had begun from barrier 11, and third from gate 9.

Final Points: Atitagain NZ 13, 13, 13 – 39. Shakamaker 9, 13, 13 – 35. Courage Under Fire NZ 13, 8, 13 – 34. Yulestar NZ 11, 11, 9 – 31. Wally Walton 10, 10, 11 – 31. Lombo Rapida 11, 10, 10 – 31. Persistency 8, 11, 11 – 30. Holmes D G NZ 9, 13, 8 – 30. Pocket Me NZ 13, 6, 9 – 28. Cee New York NZ 6, 10, 10 – 26. Ouch NZ 5.5, 11, 8 – 24.5, Breenys Fella NZ 6, 7, 11 – 24.

Others: Zyuganov Leis 9, 9, 6 – 24. Tailamade Lombo 11, 2, 10 – 23. Back O Benachie NZ 10, 5, 8 – 23, Bancoora Next 7, 7, 7 – 21. Safe And Sound 10, 3, 7 – 20. Cigar NZ 8, 9, 3 – 20. Jaccka Smile NZ 5, 8.5 – 18. Pic Me Pockets NZ – 17.5. Camsplace Alec NZ 4, 8, 5 – 17. The Major Bid NZ 8, 3, 6 – 17. Trois Frere 7, 4, 6 – 17. Go Charles NZ 2, 6 7 – 15. Holm For Xmas NZ 2, 9, 2 – 13. Show Of Hands 7, 3, 2 – 12. Hit The Spot 3, 5, 4 – 12. Warman 1, 7, 3 – 11. Ablazin Star 1, 4, 5 – 10. Friends For Life 4, 2, 4 – 10. Jonells Son 4, 5, 0 – 9. Greek Gambit 3, 2, 3 – 8. Franco Lotsmore NZ 2, 1, 4 – 7. Flight South NZ 1, 4, 2 – 7.

INTER DOMINION PACERS GRAND FINAL

of $500,000 2647m MS

Early in the week of the Grand Final, local bookmaker Lloyd Merlehan issued a challenge to any punter to a $50,000 wager on any of the 12 finalists.

This followed a good meeting for him on the third night of the carnival when he had held $126,259 on that program. Merlehan had taken on Last Sunset NZ (favourite in the big trot) with one bet of $20,000 to $18,000 on, another of $20,000 to $16,000 for Holmes D G NZ, a further $35,000 to $10,000 for Pocket Me NZ, and Yulestar NZ to lose $35,000. All of these bets stayed in the bookmaker’s bag, with his one major loss being a $50,000 payout over Atitagain NZ, including one bet of $20,000 to $18,000 on.

Brad Jones, another leading bookmaker, was quick to provide a market for the Grand Final. Shakamaker was 5/2 favourite, marginally from 11/4 Atitagain NZ, 11/2 Courage Under Fire NZ and Persistency, 6 Yulestar NZ, 8 Pocket Me NZ, 12 Holmes D G NZ, 16 Ouch NZ, Cee New York NZ and Breenys Fella NZ, 40 Lombo Rapida, and 50 for the improving Wally Walton.

Victoria had fared best with five Grand Finalists – Shakamaker, Wally Walton, Persistency, Cee New York NZ and Breenys Fella NZ. NSW would be represented by Atitagain NZ, Queensland with Courage Under Fire NZ, and Western Australia by Lombo Rapida. New Zealand would have Yulestar NZ, Holmes D G NZ and Ouch NZ. Eight of the 12 starters were Kiwi-breds.

It was a random draw for barrier positions with the top three fancies each coming up with a front line position. Following is the draw and the State each represented:

Pocket Me NZ (NZ) (Anthony Butt)
Ouch NZ (NZ) (Tony Herlihy)
Persistency (VIC) (Gavin Lang)
Shakamaker (VIC) (John Justice)
Courage Under Fire NZ (QLD) (Brian Hancock)
Breenys Fella NZ (VIC). (Ted Demmler)
Atitagain NZ (NSW) (Dennis Wilson)
Holmes D G NZ (NZ) (Barry Purdon)

Second line
Yulestar NZ (NZ) (Tony Shaw)
Cee New York NZ (VIC) (Michael Langdon)
Wally Walton (VIC) (Mathew Gath)
Lombo Rapida (WA) (Kerryn Gath)

The Queensland Harness Racing Board early in the week announced that security guards would be brought in to provide pre-race security on all starters for a minimum of 40 hours before race start. This meant that every move involving each of the 12 starters would be watched-over for every minute of those 40 plus hours. A private security firm was hired to take the first ‘watch’, to be followed by a second set of stewards, and Greyhound Racing Authority officials booked to take over at dawn on the day of the race.

Owners of several of the finalists were quick to welcome these security measures.

Leading Sydney owner Reg Turner, head of the Dominator Syndicate that raced Atitagain NZ, told the media: "This is beautiful news, as it makes things fair for everyone. I don’t mind drawing wide out in barrier seven in the final after this security decision," he said. Turner also suggested he would not mind if the increased cost of such security could be deducted from the prizemoney.

Greg Brodie, owner of Courage Under Fire NZ, had before the start of the series pushed for strict pre-race security. He now welcomed the decision by stating: "The extended security was essential because 48 hours guarantees a horse’s system is clean."

John Justice, trainer-driver of the favourite, said he was all for longer security before the big race. "Personally, I don’t believe harness racing needs to keep proving its integrity to anyone, and hopefully this increased security decision will take nothing away from the race that has attracted the best pacers in Australia and New Zealand."

There was one change of driver from the heats. Craig Demmler had been behind his father’s horse Breenys Fella NZ in its three heats. Acting on his son’s offer to stand aside for his father to drive the horse in the Grand Final, the trainer had accepted. Ted Demmler, now 56 and a winner of more than 3000 races, had won the world driving champion in Europe almost 14 years earlier. "Young Craig offered me the drive in the final because he said he had the rest of his life to win an Inter Dominion, whereas he knows I am running out of years," explained the trainer.

It was interesting to hear the comments of trainer-drivers of the main fancies. Dennis Wilson could hardly hide the confidence he felt for Atitagain NZ doing it just one more time in Brisbane. His horse had beaten all the major hopes in the heats, with the exception of not having raced there against Shakamaker. Wilson claimed his was the only horse to have come through the series without having a hard run. "He won untouched at his last start, and he has the ability to go around the better drawn pacers here and beat them all."

One horseman who disagreed was Gavin Lang. "I don’t believe Atitagain NZ can win from barrier seven. The competition is so even with the top few horses that it is imperative to be handy to the lead. In this race he is widely drawn, and has a task to go forward and be near the lead. I reckon my horse Persistency, Shakamaker, Courage Under Fire NZ, and even Yulestar NZ, will beat him home.

Brian Hancock, also supremely confident Courage Under Fire NZ would take out the series, claimed he might not even try for the lead from barrier five. "He is a better horse when he comes from behind." Owner Brodie supported that this was most certainly true. Saturday would be a big day for Queensland if this mighty midget could win. Brodie had rejected an offer of $2.4 million when the horse was still unbeaten as a three-year-old. At the back of the mind of the wealthy owner then was that one day this might be the horse that would give Queensland its first Inter Dominion win.

Atitagain NZ was attempting to become the fifth horse to go through a series unbeaten, joining the greats Village Kid in 1986, Preux Chevalier in ’85, Young Quinn ’75 and Hondo Grattan ’73. A number of pacers have been unbeaten in their heats, only to lose out in the Grand Final.

Just as Gavin Lang believed Atitagain NZ could not win from barrier seven going forward at the start, one other authority believed the same of Shakamaker should Justice also attempt to find the lead from barrier four. This was bookmaker Lloyd Merlehan. The bookie was forecasting big trouble for Justice if he changed his tactics from the heats when the horse had started from the second line. "He will see this as his best draw for the series, and may well be tempted going forward at the start. Shakamaker is the best horse in the race, but in my opinion, he has to be driven with a sit at this level," he said.

Yulestar NZ, one of the favourites going into the championship, had not won a heat. In being the fourth horse to qualify, the NZ Cup winner had twice finished second, following that with a fourth in its final heat. Since showing its class on a trip to Melbourne the previous season and then winning the NZ Cup, there had been some quick to criticise the gelding when it had failed to maintain a reputation as the best in New Zealand. The knockers claimed this horse would have already been a superior pacer had it been trained by a big name horseman, not a grandmother in the harness backwater of Hawera. No grandmother had ever trained the winner of an Inter Dominion Pacing Championship.

That week part owner and the horse’s trainer, Lorraine Nolan, also had something else on her mind. One of their closest friends back in New Zealand was well known jumps rider and trainer, Ken Browne. Now aged 68, Browne on Tuesday of that week had broken his neck in a fall at trackwork, and was in Cambridge Hospital fighting for his life, paralysed and on a respirator. The Nolans were very mindful of this tragedy as they prepared Yulestar NZ for the Grand Final.

As the big race drew near, Yulestar NZ drifted in betting to be a 12/1 chance (it would start at 16/1), with good money for Shakamaker, Atitagain NZ, and lots of local support for Courage Under Fire NZ. There was even some good bets made on Persistency, is if the injury-plagued Victorian was about to move to a higher level than it had showed in its heats. One punter close to the stable had before the series opened had claimed a bet for $100,000 to just $2000.

Several bookmakers associated with early betting on Inter Dominions claimed their worst result was the Victorian Cee New York NZ who they had opened at 1000/1, much to their regret in now trying to cover themselves over their early ‘generosity’. The other horse that would give them a disastrous loss was Pocket Me NZ, backed to take out more than $300,000 from early betting. This Kiwi had drawn the pole, and Anthony Butt was likely to try and lead again like he had on opening night. However, many an enthusiast agreed that if Shakamaker could win two heats from the second line, he was the one to beat from barrier four. But how did you overlook the great form of Atitagain NZ?

Albion Park Harness Racing Club had confidently expected attracting a crowd of around 15,000 that night. Imagine their delight when 18,500 went through the turnstiles, making all the long planning well worthwhile. It was up some 400 on the $1 million Grand Final the previous season at Moonee Valley. And none should have been disappointed by the spectacle that unfolded at Australia’s best track.

As expected, Pocket Me NZ burned early to hold the lead, with Shakamaker working overtime to try and take the lead away from him. By the time Justice managed to get the equal favourite across, it had surely taken a lot out of Shakamaker. Meanwhile, Dennis Wilson was happy to have Atitagain NZ slide forward to be one out, with Brian Hancock setting Courage Under Fire NZ an almost impossible task early by racing forward three wide at a time when the leaders were reeling off fast sectionals. Having drawn the inside of the second row, Tony Shaw was driving for luck, allowing Yulestar NZ to have an easy run, then hoping to get clear when the time came.

Approaching the hometurn for the final time, Wilson dashed Atitagain NZ away when it was becoming obvious that Shakamaker had given all he could after the very hard run he had endured early. It had not been ideal tactics by Justice, underlining the earlier comments from bookmaker Lloyd Merlehan how this horses could not win if driven for the lead. (Perhaps had it drawn the back row, ‘Shaka’ may have done better.)

Just when Atitagain NZ was ready to be claimed the new champion, along came Yulestar NZ on the scene. Having spent little in the first two laps, the Kiwi was full of running, and charged to the line to beat a game Atitagain NZ, with Pocket Me NZ hanging on for third. Courage Under Fire NZ surprised many with its huge effort to finish fourth, with Shakamaker and Persistency the two biggest disappointments.

The mile rate returned by Yulestar NZ was a smart 1:56.2, just edging past the track record set the previous week by Courage Under Fire NZ. For the first time, an Inter Dominion Grand Final winner had been trained by a grandmother.

At the presentation, rather than focus solely on her own success, Lorraine Nolan used the occasion to send a public message back to New Zealand to their dangerous ill friend Ken Browne and his wife Anne. "To you Anne, I know you will be watching, and our thoughts are with you." The tearful presentation was a typical down-to-earth emotions of one who had shown she was refreshingly uncomplicated, extremely modest, and who lived a simple life with great loyalty to her friends. There was no airs and graces about the Nolans who came from Hawera, a little place six hours drive from Auckland that some may not even find on a map.

It was not surprising that Shakamaker had found that last lap the toughest of its racing career. The horse had been given three hard runs in each of the heats, then had the hardest of all races in the Grand Final when its driver simply refused to give up his suicide tactics to grab the front at any cost. That final last 800m was covered in 57.3, which made the efforts of the three horses to finish behind the winner extremely courageous after hectic runs during the race.

John Peck, writing in Harness Racing International described the series with these remarks. "Queensland officials deserve bouquets galore for the way the 2001 Inter Dominion Series evolved on a superb racing strip and with a very good betting ring. It was a carnival that was the result of administrative daring and a basic understanding of the traditional Inter Dominion concept.

"For me, the Albion Park track was the real winner, confirming once and for all (as if anyone doubted it) that it is the best harness racing track in Australasia." Peck was critical of the electronic media for its constant criticism that the track strictly favoured those drawn on the front line. "From the first heat, the racing was competitive and exciting with second line draws no bar to ultimate success. Preferential draws in the second and third round heats came under criticism in some quarters, yet all the right horses qualified for the Final."

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