Show up or go home.
Well not literally, but for a handful of horses engaged in tomorrow night’s last round of heats at Gloucester Park, it’s time to put your best hoof forward otherwise you can start preparing for the Consolation.
Soho Tribeca, Tiger Tara, Chicago Bull, Lazarus, Lennytheshark & Galactic Star have assured themselves of a place in the rich $1.1m Interdominion Final but the interest lies in horses like Devendra, Shandale, Vultan Tin, San Carlo, Egodan, Major Crocker and Yayas Hot Spot who will all be vying for the last four places in the big dance.
Thanks to Trent Cooper (@coops18x) here is a basic list of where the horses must finish to secure a berth in the ID Final.
DEVENDRA 5th
SHANDALE 4th
VULTAN TIN 4th
SAN CARLO 3rd
EGODAN 3rd
MAJOR CROCKER 3rd
YAYAS HOTSPOT 3rd
THE BUCKET LIST 1st
MOTU PREMIER 1st
OHOKA PUNTER 1st
Here is a look at heats seven, eight and nine on what promises to be a magnificent night of competitive, hard fought, desperate racing.
HEAT SEVEN
As soon as Chicago Bull drew the pole it was always going to be his race to lose. After a brutally brilliant track record-breaking performance in Bunbury, Tiger Tara has already qualified for the final but he seems to be in the zone so expect him to eventually roll to the breeze and test out little Chicago Bull’s toughness.
The Bucket List has drawn outside the front line and needing a victory to qualify so I am willing to cancel him from proceedings.
Motu Premier is in that same boat after a fairly lacklustre performance at Bunbury.
Shandale is the key runner who should be able to achieve the fourth placing he needs. Whilst Chicago Bull and Tiger Tara look head and shoulders above the rest, Shandale has consistently raced in that next bracket of horses so it would be somewhat of a surprise to see him outside the top four.
TIPS:
1 Tiger Tara
2 Chicago Bull
3 Shandale
4 Code Black
HEAT EIGHT
Victorian buzz horse San Carlo has found himself coming out of the ace and whilst he showed some gate speed in the Maryborough Cup, Devendra and maybe Major Crocker will be gunning for his lead spot on the pegs.
Major Crocker is the one for me who has shown electric gate speed on occasion and reinsman Greg Sugars knows it’s now or never for the big son of Art Major.
Unbeaten colt Soho Tribeca has drawn nine and if he were my horse, I would be telling Kim Prentice to jog him around out the back and come with one run. He does not need to be amongst the hustle and bustle and with a few horses needing to go hard to get a handy spot, he may actually be able to hit the line hard over the top of some tiring horses.
Many eyes will be on Lennytheshark after his subpar effort at Bunbury. The camp seems far from rattled with the 2015 ID champ so we should expect a bold showing from him, remembering he too, has already qualified. For those on Lenny for the final, you would like to see him back to his usual self.
Mr Mojito has been disappointing whilst Simply Susational, Cut For An Ace and Americanbootscoota seem a touch out of their depth.
TIPS:
1 Lennytheshark
2 Soho Tribeca
3 Major Crocker
4 San Carlo
HEAT NINE
Lazarus gets his chance. He’s drawn wide in seven but with the extended trip (2536m) he should be able to stroll around the field and almost any horse would hand up to him here. Galactic Star looms as a key player again whilst Tanaka Eagle makes one last effort to cross them and lead, despite being lengths below these horses.
Yayas Hotspot should track Lazarus everywhere whilst Egodan – drawn one – should hold the front for as long as he wants. Handing to Lazarus likely gives him every chance to run the placing he needs. I like his chances of qualifying.
Have Faith In Me looks disinterested in racing and Ohoka Punter is also going well below his best.
TIPS:
1 Lazarus
2 Egodan
3 Galactic Star
4 Vultan Tin
It’s another late night for those outside of Western Australia (sorry Kiwis) but the racing will be worth staying up for! Enjoy.
JJ
Josh Jenkins Sports 