Australian Analyst – Albion Park Inter Dominion Preview 18th July
Race-by-race Albion Park harness racing preview for Inter Dominion Finals night.
The Inter Dominion Championship Finals will be held at Albion Park on Saturday night. Here is our Albion Park preview, covering all 10 races on the card.
A total of five Group 1 events will be staged on the final night of the Queensland Constellations.
Leap To Fame clashes with Captains Mistress in the pacing final, while Gus remains a dominant favourite to take out the trotting final.
We also have The Golden Girl, Queensland Derby, and Queensland Oaks being run at Group 1 level.
Albion Park Preview – Saturday, July 18
Race 1
LUVTOBEUPTOME (8) should get a nice trailing run behind All Over It and you can put the pencil through last start’s effort. The Victorian worked outside the leader and he’s much better when able to use his speed. With the right scenario here, Josh Duggan will be hoping to use the sprint lane to run them down late.
ALL OVER IT (1) looks the leader and he won well in 1:52.9 for the 2138m journey. That was his debut effort at Albion Park. He is also a Victorian that has come up trying to claim some Queensland riches. IDEAL BRONSKI (9) is a roughie that can run well, while DYNAMITEDAN (6) has some class, but may be forced to race outside the leader. Don’t rule out SHANKYS SHOT NZ (3) either at huge odds.
Selections: 8-1-9-6
LUVTOBEUPTOME (8) to win
Race 2
BRAVENTREACHEROUS (2) may lack the class of a couple of runners in this but his form has been consistent and he constantly runs quick last quarters. He was finding the line strongly behind Captains Mistress last week and if he could lob better than midfield in the moving line, he could be the forgotten horse at huge odds.
FATE AWAITS (3) will be trying to get the lead from stablemate Magic Miki and that would make him the horse to beat. He isn’t known for his gate speed though, so the $1.80 looks thin. ALWAYS B COOL NZ (6) is flying and can win despite the draw and so can FINAL DEADLINE NZ (8). FOX DAN (10) looks next best.
Selections: 2-3-8-6
BRAVENTREACHEROUS (2) each way
Race 3
THE JANITOR NZ (12) was unable to qualify for the Inter Dominion Final, copping Leap To Fame in both heats. He ripped home in 53.8 and 53.6 seconds in the two rounds which shows he is still racing well. Over the long journey, Pete McMullen is unlikely to drive him for luck, so he should drive him like the best horse in the race. He looks very hard to hold out.
PATH TO GREATNESS (3) ran well on both occasions in the heats and he has each-way claims in the Consolation. If he could find the fence early, his chances are enhanced. SPEAK THE TRUTH (6) and CAPTAIN RAVISHING (8) look to have each-way prospects in the race too.
Selections: 12-3-8-6
THE JANITOR NZ (12) to win
Race 4
SPARKLING SEA (9) made a statement last week in the Queensland Oaks Qualifier, winning by 25.7m as she rated 1:52.0, 56.1. She should settle prominently in the run, ideally finding the front if the first emergency gains a start as she is a quick beginner. Based on the last run, she should be hard to beat.
ARK SEA (6) is equally as talented as Sparkling Sea and this should be a great clash. Whichever filly gets the better run throughout is likely to prevail. She comfortably handled opposition at Wagga last start. RIPPLES NZ (10) has each-way claims and would love to follow Sparkling Sea in the run, especially if that filly cannot find the lead. She won the South East Oaks well and has always shown she is competitive at this level. Blowout hopes to STRIPES (11), ALWAYSBJOY NZ (12) and BETTOR BEACH (13).
Selections: 9-6-10-12
SPARKLING SEA (9) to win
Race 5
Two key scratchings for the Queensland Derby with favourite Hollywood Strip out, followed closely by Zeus Lightning. This opens the race right up now.
YOTTIE (10) gets the nod as he has been racing in tremendous style, often having to do the work in the breeze. I think he races best when saved for one run and that looks the scenario here. He is rarely far away, so he should acquit himself well, regardless of how the race pans out.
BROOKLYN DAN (1) now becomes the big beneficiary of having the two scratchings. He has a much better chance to hold the lead and that’s how he won the Queensland Derby Qualifier. Five runs ago he won the Group 2 Gold Chalice Final over Yottie and has since won three of four since that win. A case can be made for quite a few runners in this now, NYMBAL NZ (6) may be driven more aggressively to try and find a position on the speed. MAJOR BLITZ (2) ran well last start and PALLADIUM NZ (4) cannot be ruled out either. REWATCH (8) gets a nice trailing draw to play a part and MAXO MIGHTY (9) is too good to ignore despite the fact that he probably can’t lead here.
Selections: 10-1-8-6
YOTTIE (10) each way
Race 6
LUX AETERNA (1) gets the plum draw which gives Nathan Dawson options. One concern early is GOLDEN FIRE NZ (3) getting across as she is quick, but if Lux Aeterna can hold before handing over to a suitable rival, she should have strong each-way claims. She hasn’t been far away in any of her recent runs, so I am expecting a good performance on the pegs.
EYE KEEP SMILING (7) was excellent at her first run back and she continues to creep closer to $900,000 in stakes. She can work in this company and looks the horse to beat. STENO (5), COOL AND CLASSY (8) and BELLA DANZA (9) are the other key contenders in this year’s Golden Girl.
Selections: 1-7-8-9
LUX AETERNA (1) each way
Race 7
The 2026 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final has a short-priced favourite in GUS NZ (2). He is the benchmark trotter and thrives over the staying journey, winning six from 14 starts. His sectionals were still impressive despite an unplaced run in the last heat at $1.18. This race probably pans out better for him and he will prove hard to hold out.
ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (6) has one option here and that’s to blast out to try and cross the field. David Miles would then be happy taking a sit on Gus or Arcee Phoenix if they challenged the mare for the top. Her best runs come when leading or trailing the leader, so I give her each-way prospects if she can get across Im Bobby.
IM BOBBY (1) will enjoy a soft trip on the pegs, as will LOVEMETO NZ (8). Both can run into a top three position with some luck. Defending winner ARCEE PHOENIX (11) has a poor draw and I think it may bring him undone in this race.
GOTFEELINGSYOUKNOW (3) has been a surprise throughout the series and could run into a top four position if things pan out.
Selections: 2-6-1-8
ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (6) each way
Race 8
The 2026 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final features the head-to-head clash between defending winner Leap To Fame and Captains Mistress. They dominate the market as expected and it will be a must-watch race. They both deserve their spots in the market, but if they worry about one another too much, it has the potential to throw up a surprise result.
LEAP TO FAME (11) is the proven champion. 72 career wins, $6.3 million in prizemoney. There is nothing left to prove, but victory here, would have to cement him as the best of all time in Australasia – he may already boast that title, but I don’t think it could be argued against if he wins.
Standing in his way is the freak mare CAPTAINS MISTRESS NZ (6) who looks to have about a 95 per cent chance to find the lead. She has won 11 from 12 this season and continues to obliterate everything in her path. We will see if she can handle the staying trip with sustained pressure from Leap To Fame.
MINOS NZ (3) has been superb in the heats and the map looks favourable for him. Find the rail first and surrender it to Captains Mistress. If there is too much pressure applied during the run, Minos looks the most dangerous horse in the race. The pegs are the spot to be when they carve out fast sectionals. For that reason, WAR DAN BUDDY (1) looks a good each-way chance. He isn’t that elite talent like the two favourites, but he is still a wonderful horse and will try and land three back on the fence.
Selections: 3-6-11-1
MINOS NZ (3) to win & WAR DAN BUDDY (1) each way
Race 9
I AM HELLBOUND (3) has been forced to sit parked in the past two Queensland runs and the much-improved NSW trotter showed his credentials three runs back when leading at the track and winning. He looks to get the chance to lead in this and should take plenty of catching from that position.
CRACKERJACK NZ (10) is a huge danger and has been impressive in both recent runs. He looks sharp and they will know he is in this race. DASH DOSH NZ (11) was fair last time and can run well. LONDON TO A BRICK (5) can be competitive when he does everything right. IKIGAI (13) looks a trotter to follow going forward if she can behave.
Selections: 3-10-11-5
I AM HELLBOUND (3) to win
Race 10
SWIFT CODE (2) will get to the fence and then will likely take cover behind Beachbabe Crocker who can fly the gate. She didn’t appreciate racing in the breeze so that previous run can be ignored. As long as it hasn’t flattened the filly, she should enjoy racing behind the leader and can try and outsprint rivals up the sprint lane.
BEACHBABE CROCKER (5) will improve sharply on the fence and much like Swift Code, that previous run can be ignored. She will go close here. CO CAPTAIN (9) has each-way claims from the good trailing draw and I am happy to have something on him too at the price. ENOLA (4) will likely need the fence to be a winning contender but I am worried about her chances of holding out Beachbabe Crocker.
FITZROY NZ (8) and FOURTY ONE GEE (10) look next best.
Selections: 2-5-9-8
SWIFT CODE (2) to win
For complete Albion Park entries, click here.
by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink
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