STAR Tasmanian pacer Beautide is in danger of being dislodged as favourite for this Sunday’s $750,000 Inter Dominion final at Menangle after drawing awkwardly on the second line at the official barrier draw in Sydney this morning.
The Tasmanian gelding’s trainer-driver James Rattray drew the barrier from only four gates that were left in the draw but he was upbeat about his charge starting from barrier 12 on the second line.
The barrier draw was comprised of horse names being selected from sealed envelopes followed by a representative of the stable selecting a horse head statuette that revealed a number on the base that corresponded to a barrier position.
“From what was left I am happy with gate 12 because it gives us a chance,” Rattray said.
The gates that were left were 7,8,10 and 12 with 10 being the outside of the front line.
“The horse is in great shape so we are ready for this final,” Rattray said.
After Beautide won the Miracle Mile at Menangle he has been the ruling favourite since betting opened on the event but with Smolda drawing gate eight on the front line he has firmed to $3.90 and equal favourite with Beautide while Im Victorious has firmed to $8 courtesy of drawing gate one.
Despite his second row draw, weight of money could still see Beautide start favourite for what is the most prestigious prize in harness racing in Australia and New Zealand.
Tasracing is encouraging all Tasmanians to get behind star Tasmanian pacer Beautide at the weekend when he runs in the Inter-Dominion final (Sunday at Menangle).
Tasracing chief executive officer Eliot Forbes said Beautide’s efforts to start favourite in the race should not be underestimated.
“The Inter-Dominion final has a long Australasian tradition and is on a par with the Melbourne Cup in terms of importance and prestige in the harness code,” he said.
Beautide has won 37 of his 61 starts, and since he has been racing interstate has taken his career stake earnings to nearly $850,000.
The race is scheduled to start at 3.40pm AEST. It will be broadcast live on WIN TV.
The Inter Dominion was first run in 1936. Six Tasmanian-owned or bred horses have won the final of the prestigious event.
Thorate is the most recent winner in 1990 while the others to win the race are Logan Derby (1936), Springfield Globe (1939), Bandbox (1947), Chamfers Star (1966) and Stanley Rio (1977).
The 2014 Inter Dominion Barrier Draw:
FRONT:
1 – Im Victorious.
2 – Living On The Interest.
3 – Seel N Print.
4 – Keeyang Cullen.
5 – Forever Gold.
6 – Mach Beauty.
7 – Wartime Sweetheart.
8 – Smolda.
9 – Caribbean Blaster.
10 – The Gold Ace.
SECOND ROW:
11 – Restrepo.
12 – Beautide.
13 – For A Reason.
14 – Terror To Love.