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Inter Dominion Heat Previews

The toughness of the standardbred is one of the best advertisements of the breed, none of this four starts in a season and then off to stud primadonna stuff of the galloping world. The rejuvenated Inter Dominion series is a time-honoured battle between Aussie and Kiwi pacers and consists of heats and a lucrative final.

This year it's over in the west, so I've recruited the Gloucester Park specialist, Trent Orwin, @themightytrent3, to do the form.

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Inter Dominion Heat Previews

Form analyst: Trent Orwin
Website: BettingPro
Twitter: @themightytrent3

The most prestigious harness racing event on the calendar is upon us with the first of three rounds of qualifying heats. I will analyse the chances of each runner per heat while listing the biggest odds on offer at the time of writing along with the bookmaker that is offering those odds.

Series best bet: Lennytheshark
Series best value: Mach Beauty

Race 4 – INTER DOMINION HEAT 1 – 2130m

1. Machtu ($7.50 Sportsbet) – Lacks gate speed and will be crossed at least once. Stablemate Waylade looks the most likely leader but Easy On The Eye is the quickest beginner. Will appreciate a soft draw and looks one of the better chances in the race of running in the money.

2. Waylade ($1.45 William Hill) – He is one of WA’s leading chances for the series and should accumulate close to top points courtesy of his draw. Hard to see him missing the place but doesn’t represent any value.

3. Shannonsablast ($21 UBET) – Should settle close to the speed in the moving line but also has the option to look for the breeze. Looms as an each-way chance in the race.

4. Devendra ($11 Luxbet) – Possesses gate speed and wouldn’t surprise to see him trying to cross them early. Maps to land a prominent position and is an each-way chance in the race.

5. For A Reason ($51 Luxbet) – Placed twice in the Inter Dominion and father time may be catching up with him. Hasn’t won in 15 starts and won’t be winning here. Can’t make any case for and would pay to watch how her performs.

6. Libertybelle Midfrew ($31 UBET) – The only mare in the series and this draw significantly hurts her chances. May have to settle for a midfield finish and will be hoping for better draws in the next two heats.

7. Easy On The Eye ($81 Luxbet) – One of the rank outsiders according to the market but my best value bet in the race. Definite chance to cross and if he leads then he will take some catching. Hunter Cup placegetter and Miracle Mile starter that looks closer to a $10 chance.

8. Our Hi Jinx ($31 Bet365) – Recent Queensland Pacing Championship winner that had excuses at Melton last start. Will need plenty of luck here and place chances look best.

9. Dynamite Dude ($151 Sportsbet) – Standing-start specialist that will find this far too tough. He’s a chance to beat a runner home if he looks for the pegs but can’t win or place.

10. Jason Rulz ($12 UBET) – Ideal draw for this sit-sprinter. He will need some luck to see any daylight in the home straight but is a definite place contender.

Selections: 1. Waylade, 2. Machtu, 3. Devendra
Suggested Bet: Easy On The Eye each-way

Race 6 – INTER DOMINION HEAT 2 – 2130m

1. Our Blackbird ($17 Bet365) – Looks a great draw for the sit-sprinter and should trail Flaming Flutter throughout. Looms as more of a place chance than winning hope.

2. Flaming Flutter ($6 Luxbet) – Should work forward and find the lead before assessing whether to hand up to Lennytheshark. Should be running top three and is an each-way chance in the race.

3. Five Star Anvil ($34 CrownBet) – Could lob handy but he looks a level below Lennytheshark and can’t see him winning. Place chances at best.

4. My Hard Copy ($8.50 CrownBet) – The WA Pacing Cup winner won’t be too far away from them and his closing speed makes him an each-way chance.

5. Billies A Star ($15 UBET) – Promising horse that is probably a place chance at best. Needs better draws to be figuring in this company.

6. Classic American ($67 Bet365) – One of the quickest point-to-point horses in WA but not up to them in this series. Don’t like his chances in this event.

7. Lennytheshark ($1.60 William Hill) – The horse to beat in this race and the series. Could potentially find the lead or sit outside them and even then may be too strong.

8. Major Crocker ($41 Sportsbet) – Does his best racing close to the speed and not likely from back in the field.

9. Blazin N Cullen ($51 Sportsbet) – He’s not good enough from this draw.

10. Mach Alert ($34 Bet365) – Fairly disappointing last start and needs plenty of luck to see open spaces in this race. Place chance at best.

Selections: 1. Lennytheshark, 2. Flaming Flutter, 3. My Hard Copy
Suggested Bet: Flaming Flutter each-way

Race 8 – INTER DOMINION HEAT 3 – 2130m

1. Lovers Delight ($16 UBET) – May have to use a bit of petrol early but is going to enjoy a soft run afterwards and is the best each-way chance in the race.

2. Bettors Fire ($5 Bet365) – Has brilliant gate speed and may try to cross Lovers Delight. Could land 1 out 1 back if he doesn’t cross and looks one of the leading chances in the race.

3. Northview Punter ($61 Sportsbet) – Hard to make a case for him in this race or the series. Place chance at best.

4. Mach Beauty ($3 Luxbet) – Flies the gate and should be leading this for a long way. Really liked his hit-out at the track last week and looks hardest to beat. My best each-way value bet for the series.

5. Meadowbranch DJ ($301 Bet365) – Irish raider that was smashed in his Australian debut. Doesn’t have any hope and could be beaten 100m here. Not even the luck of the Irish would see him run a place.

6. Philadelphia Man ($3.50 UBET) – Expect Philadelphia Man to let them burn early and press forward to the breeze. At his best he would be the horse to beat but is my second pick here.

7. Crusader Banner ($34 Bet365) – Should go back at the start and needs a soft run. Can’t win.

8. Cold Major ($81 Sportsbet) – Doesn’t have any hope from this draw. Wait for him to draw an inside barrier.

9. Franco Ledger ($34 Sportsbet) – Sit-sprinter who will be hoping they go like the clappers early. Place chance at best.

10. Avonnova ($14 Luxbet) – Queensland star that trails Lovers Delight and is an each-way chance tailored towards the place.

Selections: 1. Mach Beauty, 2. Philadelphia Man, 3. Lovers Delight
Suggested Bet: Lovers Delight each-way

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