Bay of Biscay and Fighter Command fly the flag for Victoria in Inter Dominion Pacing Heats

Victorian pacer Bay Of Biscay (Somebeachsomewhere) drew first blood with a typically tough harness racing performance in winning the First Heat of this year’s Pacer’s Inter Dominion at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

Drawn ideally in two, Bay of Biscay was installed a hot favourite while evergreen pacer Max Delight from the pole was expected to take the trail. Showing great pace early Bay Of Biscay went to the lead with Max Delight behind him and Sweet On Lexy.

But shortly after the field had travelled about 500 metres the race changed complexion when Jason Grimson on Minos took off with an electrifying burst to take the lead.

BAY OF BISCAY 4 JULY REPLAY

Running his third quarter in 27.3 seconds Minos really had them trying to catch him but the run come for Bay Of Biscay as he angled for the inside. In addition Max Delight was also making up ground. But ultimately showing his class Bay Of Biscay edged out Minos by a neck with Max Delight a close third. Cheerstolou finished on for fourth.

The well performed Captains Knock after racing well back on the rails couldn’t make up much ground to just beat one home thus making his task of making the Final difficult.

Driver Cameron Hart was predictably satisfied after the event.

Really good result for us and to drive him with a trail and have him finish off the way he did was great and hopefully if he gets into the Grand Final that might be the way that he needs to be driven. So really happy with his effort tonight.

It always good to have a good night one and get on the board and really pleased with his run so hopefully with another good draw next week he should be in the Final.

He’s probably a new kid and lacking those (top) horses but they’ve got to slow up eventually but it doesn’t look as if Larry (Leap To Fame) is slowing up anytime soon. Hopefully this guy’s got a few good years ahead of him.

The second heat made it a perfect start for yet another Victorian Fighter Command (Always B Miki) who stormed down the outside to defeat War Dan Buddy and Speak The Truth.

Tasmanian Triedtotellya from the pole was a hot favourite and when he held the lead it looked as if he would be hard to beat. But in a copy of the first heat Speak The Truth whipped around the field to take up the running.

War Dan Buddy who had a trail one back issued a challenge on the final bend with Fighter Command following out four wide. Showing a brilliant turn of speed Fighter Command came away for an impressive five metre win over War Dan Buddy who ran an admirable second place with Speak The Truth third in front of Triedtotellya who looked disappointing in finishing fourth.

Jason Lee declared after the event.

He was pretty good tonight and things were run to suit but he felt the winner a long time out. I was just worried about the one on the leaders back (Triedtotellya) but he was full of running once we cut him loose and he did it pretty good at the end.

With some of them the plugs make the difference but we definitely a bit left there if we had something to race. What Jess and all her team at home have done at home is a fabulous job with this horse. Obviously it’s a great thrill for me to drive in this race. I was great mates with the late Greg Sugars and he had a big opinion of him and he’ll (Greg) never be forgotten.

He’s still on a learning curve and he’s got plenty to learn but he’s not the complete package even when he’s coming back to scale. He’s definitely got massive ability and when he gets things to suit and you drive him like that he’s pretty lethal.

It’s clear that Fighter Command is still learning about racing and although he’ll meet much stiffer company if he makes the Final he possesses a powerful finishing sprint that will hold him in good stead if he’s near the leaders in the Final.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink