Note: Inter Dominion Finals will be run at Alexandra Park in Auckland, racing right-handed (clockwise)
Race 6. INTER DOMINION TROTTERS FINAL (2700m):
SELECTIONS: WINTERFELL 1; Majestic Man 2; Marcoola 3; Paramount King 4.
WINTERFELL: Brilliant trotter who was erratic at Addington during NZ Cup Week but has been far more reliable during this series. Found the front in his final heat last week and was totally dominant. If finds the front again will win for fun, but that’s the only query – will he find the front easily enough?
MAJESTIC MAN: Has performed extremely well all series. Easy win second night was impressive and again last Friday solid third from awkward draw. Gets handy draw and for mine looks the obvious and genuine danger to the favourite.
MARCOOLA: Another brilliant local trotter, drew gate 1 first two nights and unlucky seconds on both occasions when held up. Drew off the track when wide late and made up good ground last week. Has the ability and might be revved-up to fly the gate here. Chance.
PARAMOUNT KING: Was stunning winner in NZ record time opening night, and has performed very well on the two subsequent nights. Back row draw a real issue here but he will be strong late and if they go too hard in front he could be the one surging over the top late.
TEMPORALE: Another local who has really stood up this series. Gets a soft trailing draw here behind a horse with good gate speed who will take cover. Likely to be three or even four fence, but with gaps appearing late he could run into the first-four, at least!
Race 8. INTER DOMINION PACERS FINAL. (2700m):
SELECTIONS: ULTIMATE SNIPER 1; Cruz Bromac 2; A G’s White Sox 3; Chase Auckland 4.
ULTIMATE SNIPER: We suggested this was the best horse in NZ before they ran a heat and he has gone through the series unbeaten. Amazing win when wide and had no right to beat them last Friday night. Looks like working to the front here and that’s why he’s so short. Looks a moral for mine!
CRUZ BROMAC: Clearly he has the second best form of any runner in this Final. Came off his NZ Cup win at Addington and has lost nothing. Awful draw here makes his task that much harder but he is certainly good enough to win if the favourite does anything wrong, or, he doesn’t find the front.
A G’S WHITE SOX: Has been a revelation this series. Came from a mile back to win impressively on opening night before finding the front and again winning impressively. Drew the back row and made up good ground last week. Has the ability to be right in the finish and form is outstanding.
CHASE AUCKLAND: Has drawn well all series and this again is a soft draw. Has placed second in all three heats and will get an easy run throughout. Needs room late to get into the placings (first-four) but when they are getting tired late gaps will appear. Respect.
SICARIO: Former Kiwi now owned in Australia, has been quietly going about his business all series. Ran the race of his life when fourth in his heat last Friday night after coming from last. Super-hot field this but he should get the right run to give himself a chance of running a place or finishing close to the place-getters.