Look ahead to this weekend's harness racing action in our weekly preview, thanks to Darren Clayton.
The hopes of Queensland having a finalist in the 2024 Inter Dominion at Menangle look to rest on Jimartee, with Blacksadance likely needing to win his third round heat and have other results in his favour to force his way into next week’s decider.
Currently sitting in the top 12, Jimartee has been assisted by a favourable draw over this Saturday night’s 2300 metre heat and securing some of the bigger points on offer should keep his chances alive.
While the final round heats play out at Menangle, Albion Park will host a strong eight race program on Saturday night, with race three, the divided open, shaping as an intriguing battle.
JIMARTEE FLYING THE FLAG
For the third time in the series, the two Queensland hopefuls will again compete in the same heat of 'ID24', Jimartee landing gate one, while Blacksadance will start from gate 10 - two out on the second line.
While Blacksadance has finished unplaced in both heats at Newcastle and Bathurst, Jimartee has been flashing home late in both to grab all important points with fourth placed returns.
On Wednesday night, Ricky Thurlow had Jimartee positioned one out and three back in the running line as Cam Hart had Blacksadance rolling along in front at a strong tempo.
Attacking the line in the stretch, the seven-year-old Jimartee produced the fastest individual last 400 metre split, stopping the clock in 26.87 seconds, with his last 800 metres clocked in 53.74 seconds.
Currently on 18 points in the series, landing gate one for the last heat gives the Cristina Monte-trained gelding a huge chance to fortify his position in the top 12 for next Saturday night’s Final.
Round two heat winner Don Hugo will start favourite for this heat, however, has drawn awkwardly in barrier seven.
Tenzing Bromac is on the second line of the market despite finishing eighth in each of the first two heats.
Petes Said So will start from outside the second line and after winning a heat at Bathurst, has likely secured a spot in the Final which puts him in rare company as a three-time Inter Dominion finalist.
CAN THE CAPTAIN BOUNCE BACK?
Race three on Saturday at 'The Creek' is the open race of the night and brings together some classy opposition that boast a combined 148 race wins and over $2.5 million in stake earnings.
With four weeks between runs heading into last week’s assignment, Captain Shuffles had to settle for second place behind Always Smokin when they clashed at the mile and this week will step up to the 2138 metre trip.
“It was almost a month between runs, whatever he did last week he is going to be better for this week,” Captain Shuffles's driver Nathan Dawson said.
Drawn barrier three, Captain Shuffles has a pair of quick beginners to his inside, with O B Legal in one and Mr Mclaren in two, but he was able to find the pegs first in last week’s race.
“He is pretty quick out, we will be having a look and see what happens," Dawson said.
“If he doesn’t lead, it isn’t the end of the world for him."
Hot And Treacherous resumed two weeks ago at his first run for the John Livingstone stable, where the six-year-old was impressive over the mile with a personal best 1.51.1 performance.
Tims A Trooper will be further improved from his last run where he was second-up from a spell in finishing third and his stablemate Aroda brings some real intrigue to the race.
The four-year-old will make his first local appearance following a two-start New Zealand campaign where he tackled the NZ Cup and Show Day free for all race when unplaced behind Swayzee and Merlin, respectively.
FORM ABOUNDS
Gate seven was the undoing of the Gemma Hewitt-trained Hiranya last start with the winner Always Smokin carving out a 1.50.2 mile on the front end.
Finishing fifth in that contest, the first three across the line will all do battle in Saturday’s free for all race.
Hiranya can enjoy lining up in a band four graded contest.
Two starts back the five-year-old was looking to lead throughout where he was out sprinted to the line by Betterthanarocket in a 54.2 second last 800 metres, with his conqueror having the soft trip on his back throughout.
With four last start winners to line up against Hiranya, the gelding will not get things his own way.
The Charlie Martin-trained Mydadsaid led throughout last week for a strong second-up win and will be tightened from the run, however, has drawn awkwardly inside the second line.
Racing Time is a new addition to the stables of Martin and will start alongside his stable mate from gate nine, bringing successive metropolitan wins to this contest.
Last Time Joe steps back up to Saturday night company after winning in mid-week company, while Collect A Dime was a gritty winner last week but will need to reproduce the tough effort after drawing wide in gate six.
GET ON
Miki Magic.
First-up last week for the metro training and driving premiership-leading duo of Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen, it was a flashing light performance.
Finishing off strongly from a rearward position to grab second, a return to the mile can see her go one better.
