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2014 Inter Dominion Final preview

Roar Pro
26th February, 2014
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Tabcorp Park Menangle in Sydney’s South-West plays host to the most prestigious harness race in Australasia this Sunday afternoon as the 2014 Inter Dominion Final is run and won.

Heats for the final were conducted a fortnight ago, providing 14 worthy finalists for the $750,000 race run over 3009m.

Monday’s barrier draw at The Star further set the scene for the final, as many punters and racing analysts now try and predict how the race will play out and who will take out the famous event.

Here is a look at each runner and their chances this Sunday.

1. Im Victorious (NZ)
Driver: Gary Hall Jnr
Trainer: Michael Brennan

The Western Australian gelding has been in superb form of late winning his heat in impressive style.

He put in a very solid performance in November’s Miracle Mile finishing fourth, and with the benefit of drawing barrier 1, Im Victorious is now considered one of the leading contenders for this year’s race.

The horse may be well back in the field due to plenty of speed outside of him but is sure to be very prominent in the final straight as others tire.

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2. Livingontheinterest (NZ)
Driver: Clinton Hall
Trainer: Gary Hall Snr

Second to Im Victorious in the Western Australian ID14 heat was Livingontheinterest. The six-year-old led for all bar the final metre as he was headed just before the post.

It is likely the horse will use its gate speed to take up a forward position but may not be able to lead. An outsider in the field, connections will be hoping a nice run throughout will be enough to get him into the money.

3. Seel N Print (NZ)
Driver: Todd McCarthy
Trainer: Todd McCarthy

A real surprise packet in this series, Seel N Print won his New South Wales heat, defeating the favourite for this race in Beautide.

The sit-sprinter then backed up his victory with another impressive win last Saturday in a Group 2 race in a Mile Rate of 1.50.2.

The gelding draws well and may be able to work into a very nice position from here. If there is plenty of action up front, the horse will certainly become a threat late on.

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4. Keayang Cullen
Driver: Glen Craven
Trainer: Margaret Lee

Another surprise winner from the heats was Keayang Cullen. The six-year-old enjoyed a nice run behind the leader in the Victorian heat before sprinting past Restrepo in the final 50 metres.

The horse possesses a high amount of gate speed and will be looking to use it from the good draw to work into a forward position.

With speed inside and out though, this could prove to be a challenge. If he can settle in a handy spot, the Victorian is definitely good enough to be a factor in the final stages.

5. Forever Gold
Driver: Darren Weeks
Trainer: Darren Weeks

The only Queenslander and the only Mare in the ID14 field. The six-year-old was a fairly comfortable winner of the Queensland heat, leading all the way.

The runner won’t be afforded that luxury in this field though, and may struggle with the class around her.

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6. Mach Beauty
Driver: Lauren Panella
Trainer: Shane Tritton

An extremely quick beginner, Mach Beauty may prove to be a very important runner in this year’s Interdominion final.

Driver Lauren Panella will ensure the gelding leads early, but the question will be for how long, as there are sure to be challenges for the lead throughout the 3km journey.

The horse has proven he is tough in recent times with two wins over a major contender in For A Reason, but over this distance, it would be a big ask to repeat this feat.

7. Wartime Sweetheart (NZ)
Driver: David Aiken
Trainer: David Aiken

Paying $87.50 with TAB in the Victorian heat, Wartime Sweetheart is possibly the most surprising name to see in this race. His third placing came after a dream run and it’s hard to imagine he will be as fortunate on Sunday.

8. Smolda
Driver: Mark Purdon
Trainer: Mark Purdon

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Smolda comes across from New Zealand as the somewhat unknown figure in the race. He placed second in the New Zealand heat but it was hard to tell just what he has to offer.

The gelding’s record speaks for itself though, and, despite an ordinary barrier draw, Smolda is still regarded as one of the favourites.

9. Caribbean Blaster
Driver: Kate Gath
Trainer: Andy Gath

After finishing fourth in the Victorian heat, Caribbean Blaster was granted entry into ID14 via a wild card. The horse has been ultra-consistent in big races of late, winning the Group 1 South Australian Cup and going extremely close in the Group 1 Hunter Cup.

The six-year-old has had to endure tough runs in all of his recent races and this could prove to be an issue on Sunday, with the No. 9 barrier of no help either. He still cannot be ruled out though given his class.

10. The Gold Ace (NZ)
Driver: TBA
Trainer: Belinda McCarthy

The other horse to be granted a wild card was The Gold Ace, after the horse finished third in one of two NSW heats. He did have his chance in that heat, but a placing in the star-studded Hunter Cup two weeks prior demonstrates his class.

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Drawing barrier 10 really does hurt the horse’s chances, as he will have to come from well back and will need a lot of luck in running.

11. Restrepo
Driver: Gavin Lang
Trainer: Emma Stewart

Restrepo led throughout the Victorian heat but was grabbed right on the line as mentioned previously. The five-year-old certainly had his chance on that occasion, but he is another one who has been very consistent in recent times and cannot be ruled out.

He may be well back given the draw of inside of the back row. It will take a good drive to get him into the money.

12. Beautide
Driver: James Rattray
Trainer: James Rattray

The Miracle Mile winner from just three months ago is widely considered the favourite for Sunday’s final. Beautide placed second in his NSW heat, fighting back in the home straight on a wet track at Menangle.

Barrier 12 isn’t too much of a problem either for the Tasmanian gelding, as he draws behind a fast beginner, meaning Rattray may be able to track through into a nice spot early on.

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With some incredible performances in the past few months, Beautide has proven he is the one to beat.

13. For A Reason
Driver: Luke McCarthy
Trainer: Belinda McCarthy

For A Reason comes into Sunday’s grand final on the back of two second place finishes to Mach Beauty this month at Menangle.

The seven-year-old is known for its great turn of speed and this could prove to be enough if he is given the perfect run by McCarthy. That is a big ‘if’ given the nature of the race, but the draw of 13 may be a positive for the horse given its racing style.

14. Terror To Love (NZ)
Driver: Ricky May
Trainer: Graham Court

Terror To Love, winner of the 2013 New Zealand trotting cup and the New Zealand heat of ID14, returns to Menangle – a place where his record has been widely publicised.

Five starts for just the two place finishes at Tabcorp Park has led to his trainer labeling the venue a ‘graveyard’ for the horse.

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The six-year-old is also not aided by the poor barrier draw, but he is well known to be one of the best horses in Australasia. It would be very brave to put this challenge beyond him despite all circumstances.

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