Note: Inter Dominion heats will be run at Alexandra Park in Auckland, racing right-handed (clockwise)
Race 5. INTER DOMINION TROTTERS HEAT 1:
SELECTIONS: HABIBI INTA 1; Big Jack Hammer 2; Kennys Dream 3; Massive Metro 4.
HABIBI INTA: One of the best trotters in New Zealand. Has an imposing record and showed his class with tough win in Group 1 Dominion Handicap at Addington during Cup Week last start. The one to beat.
BIG JACK HAMMER: High quality Australian trotter, multiple Group 1 winner in top stable, has big-race driver and drawn perfectly. Huge player.
KENNYS DREAM: Lightly-raced mare has hot record winning seven of just 15 starts. Impressive winner here last time, loves this track. One of the better chances.
MASSIVE METRO: Has a serious record this track racing right-handed. Past two runs have been very solid when tried hard over 3200-metres. Has to be respected.
Race 6. INTER DOMINION PACERS HEAT 1:
SELECTIONS: ULTIMATE SNIPER 1; Chase Auckland 2; San Carlo 3; Colt Thirty One 4.
ULTIMATE SNIPER: A member of the all-conquering Purdon/Rasmussen team, produced an astonishing no-cover win in the Junior FFA Addington Cup Day. Might be the best horse in NZ. The one to beat here.
CHASE AUCKLAND: Very strong late in NZ Cup when eye-catching fourth before charged home to win Group 1 NZ FFA Cup week Addington. Nicely drawn, has good gate-speed, will be prominent throughout and hard to beat.
SAN CARLO: Top class Australian pacer with fabulous record, form was outstanding before flop in NZ Cup. Problem put down to feed, connections say now fixed. If back to best would be tough to hold out. Will go forward and is very tough.
COLT THIRTY ONE: Outstanding Australian pacer badly drawn. Just beaten in Group 1 Victoria Cup behind Bling It On at Melton four runs back, last start strong FFA winner that venue. Can win with right luck.
ASHLEY LOCAZ: Another Purdon/Rasmussen runner, very good 4YO year, few starts this season, latest solid second to Chase Auckland Methven Cup. Fitter, good draw, very capable.
Race 7. INTER DOMINION TROTTERS HEAT 2:
SELECTIONS: MARCOOLA 1; Tough Monarch 2; Majestic Man 3; Winterfell 4.
MARCOOLA: One of the best trotters in NZ winning 16 of 41 starts. Ran 4th in Dominion Handicap last start when things went wrong. This better scenario, gate 1 and mobile start. Looks the one clearly they all have to beat.
TOUGH MONARCH: Australian trotter with very good record. Led throughout to win NZ FFA Addington Cup Day before brave 2nd Dominion Handicap. Mobile ideal, will go forward, can win.
MAJESTIC MAN: Nice trotter, had very tough run no cover 4th Tough Monarch NZ FFA Addington Cup week. Didn’t back-up when tired in Dominion. Good when right, respect.
WINTERFELL: Lightly-raced has won 9 of 21. Exciting trotter but has been very erratic lately. Has the ability to win but needs to be taken on trust at the moment.
TEMPORALE: High-class Kiwi trotter, has had this prep timed right two runs won well first-up and brave last time. Proven at the highest level, chance.
Race 8. INTER DOMINION PACERS HEAT 2:
SELECTIONS: CRUZ BROMAC 1; Bling It On 2; Atomic Red 3; Triple Eight 4.
CRUZ BROMAC: Top-class, big effort to finish hard and win NZ Cup Addington before galloped out in FFA, forget. Will be very strong late and looks tough to beat.
BLING IT ON: Brilliant Australian pacer winner of almost $2 million. Has won past two including Group 1 Victoria Cup in track record time. Very fast, trip suits, hard to beat.
ATOMIC RED: Under-rated NSW-based pacer. Winner of 12 of 33 starts, always races in the best company at Menangle. Perfect gate, has good early speed will get right run and has a blowout chance.
TRIPLE EIGHT: Local pacer with very strong record, won two feature races on end before 3rd in Kaikoura Cup then strong 2nd Ultimate Sniper Junior FFA Cup Day at Addington. Has a genuine chance on that form.
THE FIXER: NZ Cup winner last year, Miracle Mile runner-up, high-class, seems a little off his best form with every chance 5th NZ Cup and same 5th in NZ FFA both Addington. Too good to dismiss but needs to find his very best.