Lennytheshark odds-on to win Inter Dominion grand final after snaring gate three

VICTORIAN star Lennytheshark is an odds-on favourite to win the $1.3 million Perth Inter Dominion grand final after snaring gate three.

Lennytheshark odds-on for Inter grand final

VICTORIAN star Lennytheshark is an odds-on favourite to win the $1.3 million Perth Inter Dominion grand final after snaring gate three.

TAB firmed Lennytheshark from $2.10 into $1.90 after he drew gate three, which was much better than his key rivals for next Sunday’s feature.

But initial thoughts Lennytheshark would stroll to the lead were thrown into confusion when the connections of polemarker Lovers Delight declared they would “hold the lead at all costs.”

Part-owner Mark Aliison vowed: “We won’t be giving up. No way we will be handing the lead over. Tell everyone we are holding front and nobody is quick enough to cross us.”

Lovers Delight’s trainer Stephen Reed supported Allison’s comments via a twitter post just moments after draw.

“Lead at ALL cost. First heat I left it up to (driver Chris) Lewis to make judgement call. Next Sunday only the one instruction (lead),” Reed tweeted.

Lovers Delight, one of the finds of the series, led throughout to upset Lennytheshark by a neck in their last last qualifying heat at Gloucester Park last Friday night.

“We’re not going there to look for any shortcuts. It’s been a long road back from injuries for this horse and we’re going there to go for broke,” Allison said.

Lover Delight’s final odds were slashed from $14 to $6.50 after drawing gate one.

Even if he sits outside the leader, Lennytheshark is still the horse to beat and deserved favourite after two heats wins and his mighty second last Friday.

Lennytheshark is already odds on to claim the Inter Dominion grand final after drawing gate three. Picture: Stuart McCormick

“We’d rather gate three than anything wider, even if Lovers Delights does want to try and lead,” trainer David Aiken said.

“He’s come through the heats well, has plenty of gate speed if Chris (Alford, driver) wants to use it and we’re going into the final very upbeat.”

The X-factor now he’s drawn out wide in barrier eight is the revelation of the series, Tasmania’s Devendra.

Now trained and driven by James Rattray,

Devendra won two of his three heats and is renowned for his explosive gate speed.

The decision Rattray has to make is whether to chance him arm and spear for the front at the start.

Another star Victorian Philadelphia Man, who won his first two heats and ran second last Friday night, has a tricky draw in four.

Top local trainer Gary Hall Sr had mixed fortunes at the draw with the emerging Waylade landing gate two and his WA Cup winner My Hard Copy drawing outside the front (nine).

“I’m happy with both. Waylade should get a sit in the running up near the speed and My Hard Copy goes best when he’s put to sleep early, which he’ll have to be from that draw,” he said.

PERTH INTER DOMINION GRAND FINAL DRAW (tab.com.au odds in bracket): Front row: Lovers Delight ($6.50), Waylade ($8), Lennytheshark ($1.90), Philadelphia Man ($6.50), Our Blackbird ($101), Libertybelle Midfrew ($41), Avonnova ($41), Devendra ($8.50), My Hard Copy ($10). Back row: Flaming Flutter ($17). Emergencies: Major Crocker ($31), Blazin N Cullen ($31).

Originally published as Lennytheshark odds-on to win Inter Dominion grand final after snaring gate three