Bolt Ready for ID22 Heat at Ballarat

CHAMPION Kiwi driver Tony Herlihy thinks Bolt For Brilliance is the horse to give him a fifth Inter Dominion Grand Final win.

Despite all the health dramas of the past two weeks, Herlihy isn’t making any excuses for Aussie fans not seeing the best of his superstar trotter over the next two weeks.

Victory in the December 10 Trotting Grand Final would be Herlihy’s first in an Inter Dominion decider since Delft won at Moonee Valley in 2006.

More significantly, it would make the equal most successful driver in Inter Dominion history. Mark Purdon holds the record with seven Grand Final wins with Brian Hancock and Natalie Rasmussen tied for second on five wins.

Herlihy is one of just three drivers – Anthony Butt and Doody Townley the others – with four Grand Final wins.

While Bolt For Brilliance’s recent health setback has taken some gloss off him, he remains a $2.80 favourite for the final.

The greatest push for him comes from Herlihy declaring he is as good as former Inter Dominion champions he won on - Pride Of Petite and Buster Hanover.

“At his best, I think he’s right up with them. He’s a really good trotter and hopefully we get to show everyone over the next two weeks,” Herlihy said.

But Bolt For Brilliance’s Inter Dominion raid looked in tatters a couple of weeks ago when he ran way below his best during Christchurch’s huge Cup Week and pulled-up with “gunk” in his lungs.

“We treated him right then and there, scrapped the big race we went down there for and got back to Auckland to give him every chance of bouncing back for this trip,” Herlihy said.

“If we’d see one thing, or one reason, not to take him across (to Victoria) we’d have pulled the pin, but he’s been great. All the tests we did were fine and he was back working well.

“He got across here on Wednesday and we’re looking forward to getting into it now.”

So, how close to his top will Bolt For Brilliance be for tomorrow’s (Saturday) opening clash with Aussie star and likely leader, Majestuoso?

“Closer than you might think,” Herlihy said. “He didn’t miss much work and we were able to sharpen him up at home before coming across. He’s ready to go this week, but should still keep building through the series,” Herlihy said.

* Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.