Australian Analyst – Albion Park Inter Dominion Heat Night Preview 11th July

The Inter Dominion Championship continues with the second round of heats at Albion Park on Saturday night. Here is our race-by-race preview for all 10 races.

Defending champion Leap To Fame won his first-round heat and looks set to dominate the second round.

Dangerous got the perfect draw to earn maximum points and qualify for the final.

In the trotters, Gus will be hard to beat once again, and we unfortunately see the scratching of Susan Is Her Name due to injury.

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Albion Park Preview – Saturday, July 11

Race 1

ALWAYS B COOL NZ (8) had won three straight races before finishing a close-up second. That defeat was the most impressive of the past four runs when beaten 1.5m by Cool And Classy. Shane Graham will be hoping that Magic Miki leads as he will be dangerous in the home straight.

TILLY DUNNAGE NZ (9) has won all four races since arriving in Australia, but this is her toughest test as she has the back row draw. There’s still a chance she could work to the front, but let’s hope that isn’t the case. MAGIC MIKI (1) is the other winning contender. He won in 1:51.0 four runs back and has been running home well from impossible positions. I am happy to back him also at the price. COSMIC FLYER (4) looks the next best chance.

Selections: 8-9-1-4

ALWAYS B COOL NZ (8) to win & MAGIC MIKI (1) to win

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Race 2

DANGEROUS (1) needs to win this heat to stake a claim for the final and despite finishing eighth in the opening round, his closing sectionals were terrific. Based on the Albion Park trial prior to that run, he is going to prove hard to beat if he leads or trails Nyack. I am expecting him to bounce back in a big way here.

NYACK (4) is quick off the gate and the plan may be to try and find the fence again – whether that is by crossing and then handing up to Dangerous or by trying to drop in behind that horse after a couple of hundred metres. He has each-way claims as does FIGHTER COMMAND (2), who is the other horse that may try to grab Dangerous’ back. The reason for that is UBETCHA TIGERPIE (8) is only moderate off the arm and may not be able to hold the leader’s back early. BAY OF BISCAY (11) has place claims from the poor draw.

Selections: 1-4-2-11

DANGEROUS (1) to win

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Race 3

GUS NZ (4) is the dominant favourite to win the series and his opening heat victory was terrific. In saying that, the $1.18 is skinny and I don’t think he’s a good bet at that price. He may have to sit parked at some stage, and while he is the horse to beat, price is important and it’s too short.

ARCEE PHOENIX (2) may be the only danger in the race and he should be leading with his stablemate on his back. The win price is good enough if this trotter and defending winner of the series can recapture his best form. The heat run was pretty good from the breeze.

GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (1) dead-heated last time but looks more of a place hope tonight. TORO STRIDE NZ (8), HIDE AND SEEK (9) and ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (10) are other place contenders in the race.

Selections: 4-2-1-8

ARCEE PHOENIX (2) to win

Trifecta: 4 / 1,2 / 1,2,8,9,10

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Race 4

DASHING (8) was an eye catcher in the opening round and in a race where there are a lot of queries, especially on the speed map, I am happy to back the roughie each-way. Queensland’s premier driver Nathan Dawson is in the sulky, the race could have some pressure with some of these runners trying to qualify for the final, and that scenario will suit Dashing if he gets any luck.

MINOS NZ (11) beat all rivals bar Bay Of Biscay in the opening round and has strong claims to go one better here. He is versatile so that should help his cause. CAPTAINS KNOCK (3) has joined Jason Grimson mid-series and there has immediately been money for him. I am respecting the move and his chances appear to be enhanced from a good draw. CHEERSTOLOU (7) needs to cross to be a winning hope, but he is lightning quick off the arm. SPEAK THE TRUTH (4) could also win.

Selections: 8-11-3-4

DASHING (8) each way

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Race 5

The scratching of Susan Is Her Name due to injury is devastating for the trotting series. She was my top pick for the race and now it changes things drastically.

LOVEMETO NZ (5) looks a big chance to find the front but did break under pressure last time. Taking $1.60 is not something that appeals after that misdemeanour. KEAYANG STUKA (10) should get a nice run in the moving line and should have plenty to offer late. It’s an open race outside of the leading duo.

With my original top pick scratched, I am happy to just sit back and watch this heat.

Selections: 5-10-6-3

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Race 6

LEAP TO FAME (6) can roll to the front and win as he likes. This should be a walk-in-the-park for the champion and the $1.04 odds reflect that. There’s not much else to say besides cheer Larry home!

THE JANITOR NZ (8) is the best chance to run second, but his starting position means he may get off the fence early. While he should still run a place, the $1.35 to do so is skinny enough. PATH TO GREATNESS (4) impressed in the heats last week and has solid place claims at value. Looks a good horse to include in the exotics. CAPTAIN RAVISHING (9) and MAX DELIGHT (11) are probably the other place hopes while Tassie horse TRIEDTOTELLYA (5) will need a prominent spot on the speed without being caught in the breeze to be a place contender.

Selections: 6-8-4-11

Exacta: 6 / 4,9,11

Trifecta: 6 / 4,8 / 4,8,9,11

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Race 7

STENO (5) was a phenomenal winner last start in 1:49.4, aided by Tokyo Rose going hard out in front. With that horse out of this race, the tempo won’t be as quick but she could still map well here. Ruby Rules is probably more likely to hold the front now, but Steno may be able to grab some cover if she presses forward. She is a quick closer and should run a big race.

RUBY RULES (2) continues to impress and the original plan of sitting on Tokyo Rose (now scratched) means that Grant Dixon will try to replicate The Rising Sun Consolation effort of leading throughout. She is race fit compared to the class horse Eye Keep Smiling.

EYE KEEP SMILING (6) is the other key winning hope but she is first-up from a spell and has the tricky draw. It will be no surprise if she wins as she is the proven star of the race.

Selections: 5-2-6-1

STENO (5) to win & RUBY RULES (2) to win

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Race 8

COMEANDSEE (2) is unbeaten from three career starts and looks to be a strong chance to find the front in the Group 1 2026 Benstud Protostar. Driver Mark Pitt had the choice of three Emma Stewart-trained runners and has picked this filly. She was impressive winning at Ballarat last start in 1:57.7, 55.3, 26.7. The future looks bright for this Cattlewash filly and $3 looks a great price.

CARDIGAN JEM (1) has the plum draw and will most likely trail the stablemate. He has won twice from four. Both defeats have come behind Smack Bang Bart who lines up here from a tough draw. DON HUNTER (5) will try and cross early as that would give him his best chance of success. HAVTIMEMAJOR NZ (4) is the x-factor in the race and SMACK BANG BART (10) won the Nutrien Series Final.

Selections: 2-1-5-10

COMEANDSEE (2) to win

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Race 9

CAPTAINS MISTRESS NZ (3) can win for fun as she heads to the Inter Dominion Final via a different route to the rest of them. Her victory in The Rising Sun was incredible and she won’t have any trouble beating this small field.

HESITATE (1) looks the most likely to cling on for second with FOX DAN (2) the other chance of taking the silver medal position.

Selections: 3-1-2-5

Trifecta: 3 / 1 / 2

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Race 10

TYTATE NZ (1) kicked off her Australian career with a second behind Bella Danza in fast time. That run will have put her in good stead for this and if she posts another slick mile rate, this time from the lead, she should prove hard to catch. She ticks a lot of boxes with “Leader Peter” on board.

RAKASANDY NZ (8) gets the trailing draw and ALWAYS BE CHAPS (9) can either go three back on the fence or staying in the moving line. They both have each-way prospects in the race. It looks hard for those horses off the fence in this race.

Selections: 1-8-9-10

TYTATE NZ (1) to win

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For complete Albion Park entries, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink