Note: Inter Dominion heats will be run at Alexandra Park in Auckland, racing right-handed (clockwise)
Race 5. INTER DOMINION PACERS HEAT 3:
SELECTIONS: CHASE AUCKLAND 1; A G’s White Socks 2; Ashley Locaz 3; The Fixer 4.
CHASE AUCKLAND: In great form right now. Charged late when huge in the NZ Cup before good trail and too fast winning NZ FFA. Led and just run down by a star on opening night. Clearly the one to beat from this draw as looks likely leader over short course.
A G’s WHITE SOCKS: Local, very good in NZ Cup then galloped in NZ FFA which is most unlike him. Back to brilliant best charged late to win opening night. Repeat of that effort gives him a genuine winning chance again.
ASHLEY LOCAZ: Started favourite when close 2nd Chase Auckland in the Methven Cup before breaking at start then eye-catching effort opening night, broke the clock last half. Brilliant on his day, can win if everything goes right.
THE FIXER: Seemed a touch disappointing when 5th in NZ Cup and again in NZ FFA Addington Cup Week. Charged home late opening night here when much better effort. Very good on his night, can win with right run.
COLT THIRTY ONE: Top class Australian pacer, drew wide and raced at the rear before making up good ground last lap behind Ultimate Sniper opening night. High-class when right, can win with right run.
Race 6. INTER DOMINION TROTTERS HEAT 3:
SELECTIONS: WINTERFELL 1; Habibi Inta 2; Majestic Man 3; Massive Metro 4.
WINTERFELL: Brilliant trial before galloping when second favourite in NZ FFA Addington Cup Week, ran last but forgive. Sizzling last lap when impressive here opening night. Has real class, if behaves again will probably win again.
HABIBI INTA: Had the run of the race but was massive 7-length win in G1 Dominion Addington Cup Week. Awful here when long odds-on opening night but good draw gives him every chance to bounce back. Good enough.
MAJESTIC MAN: Honest and racing very well. Breeze throughout when 4th NZ FFA before solid 7th Dominion, ran on hard again opening night and he’s a genuine each-way chance again.
MASSIVE METRO: Has now run second at his past three starts, latest of those when big run three-wide last lap run down late opening night here. If he’s close enough in the run can definitely win.
KENNYS DREAM: Drew wide first night, no luck, well beaten. This very different race, short trip, good gate and he has early speed. Has an each-way chance given the conditions of the race.
Race 7. INTER DOMINION PACERS HEAT 4:
SELECTIONS: BLING IT ON 1; Ultimate Sniper 2; San Carlo 3; Cruz Bromac 4.
BLING IT ON: Star Australian, won previous two starts including track record win in Victoria Cup, Melton. Worked hard to find the front, tired late, most unlike him. Driver later reported back feet were contacting the sulky wheels, thus he pulled hard. Gets right trial here on likely leader’s back. Good value bet at the odds.
ULTIMATE SNIPER: Stunning win in the Junior FFA Addington Cup Day, as we suggested opening night he might be the best horse in NZ. Faces tough task here, wide gate, short trip, likely to have to sit parked if goes forward. Too good to dismiss.
SAN CARLO: Extra-smart Australian, had been in solid form in Australia before flopped in NZ Cup, sat parked here opening night not disgraced. Looks the leader here over the short course and will be tough to catch if can find anything like his best form.
CRUZ BROMAC: Top class local, NZ Cup winner before galloping in NZ FFA when favourite. Didn’t have a lot of luck here opening night yet was very brave when second after doing it tough. Despite horror draw is always a chance in these races.
CLASSIE BRIGADE: Had run of the race from barrier one when second Chase Auckland G1 NZ FFA Addington Cup Week. Good effort here opening night from poor draw, ran on late. Has the ability to figure and is in good form.
Race 8. INTER DOMINION TROTTERS HEAT 4:
SELECTIONS: MARCOOLA 1; Temporale 2; Big Jack Hammer 3; Monty Python 4.
MARCOOLA: Brilliant trotter, form in ChCh was fabulous (left-handed) tracks, drew one here opening night driver reluctant to drive him out of the gate, trailed leader out late just missed. Best horse from best draw but slight caution about this track.
TEMPORALE: Showed serious gate speed to lead before took cover, ran on really well opening night. Has the draw to again try for the front, this time shorter trip and has options to again take cover if found the front. Has solid each-way claims.
BIG JACK HAMMER: First try right-handed, led from one and battled on gamely when third here opening night. Brilliant mobile horse, this trip ideal, would be tough to catch if pinged out and found the front. Watch very closely.
MONTY PYTHON: Good strong, tough trotter, placed in ID Final last year, did a good job here on opening night when made good ground late from the back. Always in the thick of things these races and worth some thought.
DIDJABRINGTHEBEERS: Big run when ran on 3rd G1 NZ FFA before 6th in the Dominion, again very good run. Horror draw here on opening night and not disgraced given the circumstances. Good draw over short course both ticks, respect.