Inter Dominion Opening Night Wrap

Minstrel NZ - ID2024 - Heat 1 winner. Photo courtesy HRNSW. Photo by Brett Atkins.

WE have new favourites in both the Inter Dominion pacing and trotting finals after last night's opening heats at Newcastle.

Millionaire WA pacer, Minstrel, made a real statement in the first last night's three pacing heats. 

Showing blazing gate speed from the pole, young gun driver, Deni Roberts, easily held the lead on the rising eight-year-old and never looked in danger.

Minstrel bowled along in front and clocked a brisk 1min53.2sec mile rate for 2030m to beat outsider Jilliby Nitro, who sat behind the leader, by 4.6m with in-form veteran Max Delight a brave third after sitting parked.

“He did that really well. He showed a terrific turn of foot tonight and the plugs were still,” Robert said. “We haven’t had the chance to showcase his speed very often on the small track back home, but I can’t wait to get him to that big Menangle track.”

District Attorney galloped at the start then made a midrace move before tiring to finish last, setting a monstrous task to try and make the final.

In the second heat, a daring Brad Hewitt drive won the race for his classy four-year-old Captains Knock.

Just when favourite Don Hugo (leader) and Tenzing Bromac (outside lead) were controlling the tempo, Hewitt cut loose three-wide in search of the lead.

When they kicked-up, Hewitt slotted in the one-one and then finished over the top of them in the run home before staving off a late surge from rank outsider Terry to win by a head in a slow 1min55.3sec mile rate.

Don Hugo was a tad disappointing after leading, but should improve having not raced since winning the TAB Eureka on September 7.

The hard luck story was Nerano, who never saw daylight and was beaten just 6.5m in sixth spot.

The drive of the night – and probably the series – came in the third pacing heat with some Chris Alford genius.

When the favourite and leader Blacksadance slowed the tempo, Alford cut loose from midfield and looped the field to “catch them napping” and take the lead.

From there he was never in danger as the former Kiwi pacer, Cantfindabettorman, now trained by Isabel Walsh, cruised to an easy win over Curly James in a solid 1min53.9sec mile rate.

In the trotting series, star Victorian-trained mare, Queen Elida, returned to her sparkling best.

She led throughout to win easily and gave Alford a double in the heats.

Queen Elida, who has been down a shade on her best form in recent months, stormed into $3 favouritism for the final after toying with her rivals, headed by Parisian Artiste, who ran a clear second.

Earlier, The Locomotive led throughout to win the opening heat, but not with the ease many expected.

Classy Victorian, Plymouth Chubb, was the run of the race after sitting parked and getting within 1.4m of The Locomotive with another Victorian, Keayang Chucky, finishing a close third.

Series big gun, London To A Brick, started on a bad note by galloping in the early stages and basically taking no part in the race.