Photo by Ashlea Brennan Photography
Favourites roll in as the All Stars claim two
Cranbourne played host to the third and final round of Inter Dominion heats over 2555 metres on Saturday December 8, where favourites prevailed in all five heats.
It was the all conquering “All Stars” combination of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen who made the night their own after winning two of the three pacers heats with Spankem and Cruz Bromac who could possibly start the public elects next Saturday depending on their barrier draws.
PACERS HEAT – ONE
Judging on what had been seen so far, Spanken ($1.50) appeared to have yards on his rivals despite drawing gate two on the second line and that’s the way the race panned out. Allowed to amble away as polemarker Joes Star Of Mia and Maximan (gate five) began best with Maximan crossing to lead. Natalie allowed Spankem to go forward and park in the open entering the straight on the first occasion. The other chances in the betting were Galactic Star, Wrappers Delight and Joes Star Of Mia, with Galactic Star from the extreme draw settling with most of the field ahead of him, while Wrappers Delight staring from inside the second line possied three back the markers, with Joes Star Of Mia ahead of him. Given more rein with around 1400 metres to travel, Spankem had little trouble in moving past Maximan to take over as Todd McCarthy commenced a forward move with Galactic Star to race outside him for the final circuit. On straightening, Spankem cruised clear to score by 7.7 metres in a mile rate of 1-58 (last half 54.8 – quarter 28) from Galactic Star who’s run was again full of merit, with Joes Star Of Mia angling wide on turning to be a half head away in third place, denying Maximan that spot in the last couple of bounds.
HEAT – TWO
Tiger Tara ($1.20) who must have a wonderful constitution cracked it for his first heat victory for NSW trainer Kevin Pizzuto and regular reinsman Todd McCarthy with a virtual all the way success in 1-57.1 (54.8 – 28.2). Not pushed out at the start from gate four, Tiger Tara soon accelerated to stride past polemarker Cant Refuse entering the straight as Bec Bartley aboard the well fancied San Carlo from the extreme draw wasted no time in circling the field to settle in the open and with no pressure, dictated terms to suit. Always travelling on a tight rein, Tiger Tara kicked at the straight entrance with San Carlo trying hard to get on terms and Cant Refuse angling down to the sprint lane. Defying the challenges, Tiger Tara had 1.1 metres to spare on the wire from the fast finishing Our Uncle Sam which flashed home along the sprint lane from three back the markers, with San Carlo 2.7 metres away in third place 3.4 metres clear of Cant Refuse who was given every chance by Mattie Craven but failed to capitalize.
HEAT - THREE
Undefeated throughout the series, Cruz Bromac was a prohibitive $1.10 favourite and justified the quote by winning easily in the fastest rate of the night 1.56.5 (55 – 28.5). Allowing both polemarker Hickstead and Mattgregor (gate two) to burn away as the field was despatched, with Kima Frenning making an early move to send Im The Boss which pushed through from gate two on the second line to lob one/one forward with a rush to cross Hickstead at the post, Cruz Bromac (gate three) wasn’t bustled and settled two back, before letting rip to stride effortlessly stride past Im The Boss hitting the back straight on the first occasion. This allowed second elect Im Pats Delight after being restrained from inside the second line by Gavin Lang to angle away from the markers into a one/one trail following Mattgregor which had been left exposed. No moves were made until the back straight on the final occasion when Gavin Lang set off after Cruz Bromac with the pair racing clear on the final bend. With Nat sitting quiet, Cruz Bromac coasted to the judge 4.4 metres in advance of Im Pats Delight who tried hard, with Sydneysider Village Witch 3.5 metres back in third place for Jason Grimson after following the runner up all the way. Ellmers Image came from last at the bell to finish fourth.
THE TROTTERS – HEAT ONE
Andy and Kate Gath’s Tornado Valley was at the unbackable quote of $1.10 from his favourable draw of gate three, but gave his supporters some cause for alarm after Red Hot Tooth was driven with aggression from gate five to cross him at the start. This was short lived as Kate immediately eased around her to take over, steering the hot pot out of trouble. Despite racing a little fierce, Tornado Valley had his rivals covered a long way out, returning a mile rate of 2-01.5 (57.1 – 29.3) to defeat Save Our Pennys (the surprise of the series) which ran home from three back the markers out wide to be beaten 6.3 metres, with red Hot Tooth holding down third 3 metres away. Tough Monarch (one/one) was a disappointing fourth 1.3 metres back after joining the winner on the home turn.
HEAT – TWO
Kiwi Speeding Spur ($1.20) was expected to have little trouble in winning for North Islanders John and Josh Dickie and never gave his backers a moments worry. Leading from gate two, Speeding Spur ambled around at his leisure, running out a 1.6 metre victor in 2-00.3 (58.8 – 29.8) from Big Jack Hammer which ran the race of his life, flashing home along the sprint lane from three back the markers after starting inside the second row, with Illawong Armstrong 2.5 metres away in third place after trailing the winner from the pole. Kyvalley Blur (one/one at bell) was fourth a metre back after making a mid-race move to race parked before gaining cover from stablemate Enrolled.
