Devendra wins Carrick Cup
Devendra sits just outside qualification for the 2017 Inter-Dominion Final as Bunbury Park prepares to host tonight's second round of Heats in Western Australia.
The Todd Rattray trained and driven pacer ran a gallant fifth behind Soho Tribeca and Lazarus on the opening night of the Series and gained six championship points for his effort, enough to be still in contention for a Final's berth.
Heat winners Soho Tribeca, Chicago Bull and 2015 Inter-Dominion champion Lennytheshak all secured maximum points and share the lead on the Championship points table with 14.
There are four key players in this year's series, Devendra drew two of them in Heat One, Soho Tribeca and Lazarus and tonight he faces Soho Tribeca and Chicago Bull.
For the second time in as many Heats, Devendra has drawn inside the front line with Chicago Bull following him out from the inside second line draw while the short-priced favourite Soho Tribeca ($1.20) will start from wide on the front line in six.
The David Aitken-trained Lennytheshark, driven by Australian Driver's Championship winner Chris Alford has returned the fastest mile rate of the Series so far at 1.54.1, Soho Tribeca recorded 1.54.2 while Chicago Bull turned in a 1:55.6 performance.
If you dare to dream Devendra is a chance of winning the Series at current odds of $201 against the cream of Australiasia's pacers, you would be considered a supreme optimist.
We have been spoiled in recent years by the brilliance of dual Championship winner Beautide, the reality is if Devendra was to make it through to the final it would be a huge feather in the cap of his young trainer-driver Todd Rattray and a tremendous thrill for owner Viv Clark.
If Devendra can finish in the first four across the line tonight it will go a long way to securing the Bettors Delight - Queen Carey eight-year-old a finals berth.
Outside the two standouts in Devendra's Heat the only pacers ahead of him on the points table are Vultin Tin (9pts) and Simply Susational (7pts), so its a must to finish ahead of the duo tonight in Heat five at 21.17.
