Auckland Inter Dominion: My Kiwi Mate gets his chance with perfect barrier draw
My Kiwi Mate could not have drawn any better in Tuesday’s second round of Inter Dominion heats, according to his trainer Craig Demmler, to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Auckland final.
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Victorian trainer Craig Demmler thinks an ideal draw will keep his Auckland Inter Dominion dream alive.
Demmler, who drove Breenys Fella into second place in the 2000 Melbourne Inter Dominion final, opened this year’s series with My Kiwi Mate’s seventh placing on Friday at Alexandra Park.
My Kiwi Mate, a renowned sit-sprinter, is drawn inside the back row (gate nine) on Tuesday and follows out favourite and likely leader Chase Auckland.
“It’s a great draw. He’s come through the first run, which I thought was pretty good, really well,” Demmler said.
“We’ve certainly got our chance from that draw to get some serious points towards a spot in the final.”
My Kiwi Mate is one of 10 Australian horses in the Inter Dominion, but most failed to fire on opening night.
Barrier draws have been kind for stars San Carlo and Bling It On, who need big runs on Tuesday to stay in final contention.
Much like the My Kiwi Mate scenario, Bling It On’s driver Luke McCarthy hopes to use an inside back-row draw (gate nine) to trail likely leader San Carlo, then use the sprint lane late.
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The gruelling format of the Inter Dominion means all horses not only back up for a second run on Tuesday, but also a third round of qualifying heats on Friday.
New Zealand’s dominant All Stars stable has five of TAB’s first six favourites in the pacing series, including opening-night star Ultimate Sniper, who heads the betting at $2.50.
Bling It On is a $9 chance and San Carlo $17.
My Kiwi Mate is a $151 outsider.