Beautide is at cramped odds to win his second Tab.Com.Au Inter Dominion Grand Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Sunday afternoon. The 7YO Tasmanian gelding continues to shorten as race day approaches and is currently $1.55 favourite ahead of the Victorian Lennytheshark ($3.20). Next in the market is the New South Wales trained and part Tasmanian owned 8YO stallion, For A Reason ($9.00).
Beautide amazed harness enthusiasts world wide with his Inter Dominion win in 2014. After sitting parked (outside the leader) for the majority of the 3009 metre race, Beautide exploded away in the last 150 metres of the long Menangle straight to win in a world record mile rate of 1:55.5.
While Beautide has performed very well this season, his race record is not up to the remarkable standard he set last season. He was second in this season’s 2014 Miracle Mile after winning in 2013. The Victoria Cup resulted in an eight placing after fourth the previous year.
The return back to Menangle two weeks ago may have been the turning point. With 15 wins and seven placing from 24 starts at the premier New South Wales venue, Beautide fronted up in an Inter Dominion heat as a $1.70 fav but many in his army of fans were unsure if he was up to the standard he established 12 months ago.
The ‘Tassie Terminator’ answered the question emphatically. Beautide led for the majority of the 2400 metres and strolled away from For A Reason to win by six metres rating 1:54.4, which is just outside the track record of 1:54.0.
Beautide will start from barrier five on Sunday and, from there, driver James Rattray is expected to find the lead, or the position outside the leader. Lennytheshark has drawn the pole and may get a similar run to when he finished second to Christen Me in the Victoria Cup. For A Reason has drawn inside the second line and follows Lennytheshark. He may end up three back on the pegs and get every chance to improve on his third placing to Beautide in the 2014 Inter Dominion Final.
Beautide may already be the best racing animal Tasmania has produced. A second Inter Dominion and a win and second in the Miracle Mile would make it hard to argue otherwise!
The Inter Dominion is part of a huge week for Tasmanian harness and thoroughbred supporters with the three local stars all racing. Two are millionaires and the other is close. Beautide has won $1,562,212, Geegees Blackflash $1,186,450 and The Cleaner $956,280.