Auckland Inter Dominion - Final Heats Review

07 December 2019
by Len Baker

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The final round of Inter Dominion heats were held at Alexandra Park on Friday with some anxious connections keeping their fingers crossed hoping to make the cut.

PACERS – HEAT FIVE

Unbelievable and unimaginable was the performance of 4Y0 Bettor’s Delight-Reality Check entire Ultimate Sniper who was going for a clean sweep of the heats.

Trained by the “All Stars” combination of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, Ultimate Sniper with Natalie taking the reins settled well back in the field from gate three on the second line as stablemate Chase Auckland (Tim Williams) led momentarily from the pole before being crossed by outsider On The Cards. With a number of forward moved being made, Chase Auckland eased off the leaders back to assume control hitting the front straight on the first occasion with Colt Thirty One going forward to take over shortly after. Bec Bartley then issued a bid with San Carlo to cross Colt Thirty One relegating Chase Auckland to three back the markers. While all this was going on, Ultimate Sniper was biding his time before moving forward racing for the bell. Left on a limb three wide as Amanda Turnbull and Conviction in the breeze were reluctant to hand over, Ultimate Sniper was left on a limb appearing to be struggling and going knowhere.  looking to be out of contention. The leaders San Carlo, Colt Thirty One, Chase Auckland and Ashley Locaz (three wide) after easing around Ultimate Sniper turned for home appearing likely to fight out the finish. Gaining his second wind in the straight, Ultimate Sniper charged at the leaders in the shadows of the post to record a most amazing head margin over Chase Auckland along the passing lane, with Colt Thirty One ¾ of a length away in third place half a length clear of Ashley Locaz.

Running the journey in 3-16.1, Ultimate Sniper recorded a mile rate of 1-56.8 (last half 54.8 – quarter 27.6).

HEAT SIX

Eight year old Falcon Seelster-Crown Defender gelding Cruz Bromac was victorious in the second heat for Victoria in 3-16.7.

Again from the All Stars Barn, Cruz Bromac driven by Mark Purdon led from gate two, before handing over to stablemate Thefixer in the front straight on the first occasion. Coming away from the inside mid-race, Cruz Bromac was able to cross and lead, travelling beautifully for the rest of the journey. In a last half of 54 seconds – quarter 26.7, Cruz Bromac coasted to the wire ¾ of a length ahead of Thefixer which had every opportunity along the sprint lane, with Triple Eight (four back the markers) 5 3/4 lengths away in third place, with another Victorian Sicario fourth a further half length back. A G's White Socks found the task of racing wide from well back in the last lap beyond him in such a slick last quarter, finishing fifth. The mile rate of 2-01.4 established a new track record.

TROTTERS – HEAT FIVE

A late transfer to the beach at Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett’s Waiuku stable is paying dividends for consistent 7Y0 Monarchy-Whosinthenest gelding Temporale who after winning four days earlier, repeated the dose in the first of the Trotters heats. Driven by former trainer Tony Herlihy, Temporale led throughout from gate four in a gross time of 3-24.8 to easily account for Paramount King (one/one) by ¾ of a length in a rate of 2-01.4 (Half 57.1 – quarter 28). NSW hope Tough Monarch was third a nose away after trailing the winner and using the passing lane, with Marcoola fourth a head away after following Paramount King.

HEAT SIX

This was a “stroll in the park” for the All Stars with 5Y0 Majestic Son-Una Bromac gelding Winterfell chalking up his second carnival victory. Crossing to lead shortly after the start, Winterfell (gate 6) cruised home untouched by a 2 ¾ length margin over Massive Metro which trailed after leading out, then using the passing lane to no avail. Majestic Man battled on gamely for third 2 ¾ lengths away after racing exposed for the last half of the trip. Those three were well clear of the others with Valloria (one/one at bell) fourth and Destiny Jones (three back the markers) fifth. The gross time 3-20.5 (half 56.5 – 28).

All roads will lead to Alex Park this Saturday for a night of Grand Final action.