Interdom

[carltonblue]

Does anybody else think Blacks A Fake has come back better than ever! I think he can come three wide and win the Inter!

The only other horse capable of that is, imo, Tanabi Bromac.

Drawn to lead in the Inter, Monkey King, Mr Feelgood, Karloo Mick, Washakie, Smoken Up would start favourite, and go close to winning - they could all only do a little bit of work to win.

With a easy run, Cincinatti Kid - Ballarat Cup style, I believe Western Cam, Mister Swinger and Sammy Maguire could go pretty close.

To sum up my post, that is my top 10, my dream field at this stage for the Inter!

 

[mattys123]

Well Blacky's ranked 2nd at the moment on the Inter Dominion site;

http://www.interdominion.com.au/interdominion/index.cfm/racing-information/third-rankings/

I've won a fair bit on Monkey King, so I will stick with him, but if BAF can come back and win again, no one would begrudge the horse or connections.

Should be a cracking series, I'd say 5-6 horses with a realistic shot at winning the whole thing with luck/form/draw etc to play a huge part.

I like the fact the series is spread over 3 tracks (HP, Newcastle and Menangle) although the fairest track for all runners is Menangle, so it's great the final is there.

Hunter Cup this week, and then it's all roads lead to the Inter Dom in NSW.

 

[Geeves Train]

Can't say I'm with you on this one CB. BAF was solid beating Western Cam on Saturday night but I reckon Blacky is probably past his best and something else will win the Inter.

Last year BAF had every chance (granted Mr Feelgood got a better run) and still didn't win and I don't think he has improved since then and meets a better field this year. I hope he can win but I don't like his chances.

I've put down my thoughts on what I see as the top hopes:

Monkey King: Deserved favourite. Awesome in NZ Cup when easily accounting for Auckland Reactor. Then went better in Miracle Mile when he got the run he wanted and ran a 1.50.8. Massive effort to get within 3.2m of Bettors Strike in Vic Cup when nothing much else from the back ran on. Risk in that he needs to be saved for the one run but that run is devastating and if he gets his chance I reckon he's the winner. Also 1/1 at Menagle which can't hurt and the 350m-400m straight at Menagle is perfect for him.

Smoken Up: He also been going great guns lately. Huge fighting 2nd in the Miracle Mile where he actually started kicking back at Monkey King in the straight once headed. Last start in SA Cup had to be seen to be believed, lost a half neck to Mr Zion, Jim Jacques said it would be the "run of the centuary but he just missed." Tough as nails and goes best leading but I reckon a chance from wherever. Keeps getting better, this might be where he shows he is a champion.

Mr Feelgood: Defending champ, went average when resuming in NZ but has looked great last few runs at Bendigo and Ballarat (2nd's). Draw is probably less crucial to him than others as he seems to go best coming from the back. Reckon if the winner isnt the leader or Monkey King it will be this bloke.

Washakie: Reckon this bloke is underated and is the dark horse of the series. Hasn't been racing in the Vic cups but has looked great going quick times and crusing past leaders at Albion Park. Was a big run when winning WA Cup, slick sectionals all the way in a track record win. Before that towelled up Karloo Mick at Bankstown in GRP 1. Hard to line up his form but I reckon he is almost the form horse. If he gets the front row and a chance at the lead he could pinch it.

Karloo Mick: Gotta love this guy, been around forever but probably close to career best form at the moment. Good efforts from the back in his last 2 races (Shepparton and Ballarat). Weird stat here but hopefully he is stabelled near a beach cause the trainer reckons he goes best when he can get amongst the sand and clear ocean air. The most consistent horse in the series last year (1st, 1st and 3rd in final) and I would love to see him win. Probably a bit underrated at $15 too. My value pick

Bondy: Don't know much about him but has beaten Monkey King and Bettors Strike so he cant be a donkey. Looked good when beating not much at Ballarat on Saturday night. Specialist from the stand, not so sure about the mobile. Need to know more about him but a chance.

Lonestar Legend: My best longshot (81s). Apparently we havent seen the best of Lonestar Legend but he has been improving and it will be interesting to see if he has been set for this. Rank outsider chance.

Conclusion: Like most Grp 1s these days it probably all depends on the barrier draw. Want to be on barrier 1 or the horse who gets the trail behind the thing that pushes up 3 wide. Therefore hard to pick what will win but I reckon it will come from: Monkey King, Washakie, Karloo Mick or Mr Feelgood. For some reason I think Smoken Up is gunna run 2nd by a nose. Also give Blacks a Fake a slim chances but again all depends on the barriers.

 

[the good maggot]

Why barrier 8? There is 10 across the front.

Also - Melpark is in the paddock.

 

[Pecker]

Guy's' don't bother backing any horse other than Monkey King! Any horse that can finish off a race in sub 27 seconds off ANY speed, just has to be within reach at the turn at Menangle to win. And Monkey King is your horse. I've been using the NZ Cup from November as a form guide, and have done very nicely since thank you very much. Smoken Up and Bettor's Strike for the placings. You can also take Bettors Strike and Monkey King in a feature race double to win the Hunter Cup, Inter final for 22/1.

 

[Poizun]

Western CAM = No chance in a million years..Compared to the likes of Monkey King, Karloo Mick, Bettors' Strike etc etc..he is weak as piss. Enough said.

 

[western royboy]

Without wanting to be seen to be shooting Bambi, I reckon Blackie is no chance in the Inter, particularly with the final being at Menangle. Even if he did get to the death he will just be a sittting shot for any of the crew mentioned by Geeves & Pecker. Hard to argue with the logic presented or enthusiastic about any smokey heres.

 

[Geeves Train]

Why barrier 8? There is 10 across the front.

Also - Melpark is in the paddock.

Eh agreed for some reason I thought it was just 7 of the front then 8 gets the trail behind leader. Regardless no sprint lanes in NSW would make the 11 a bad draw anyway.

 

[the good maggot]

Pecker makes a great point which I have actually been thinking about myself for quite a while. The NZ Cup in November was one of the best form races seen in years.

Finishing order with a bit about each horse SINCE the NZ CUP:

Monkey King - went on and won the NZ FFA and the Miracle Mile

Bettors Strike - sat in the death to win the Cranbourne Cup, before winning the Vic. Cup and Tasmanian Pacing Chamionship

Smoken Up - placed in the Miracle Mile and Vic. Cup and was a massive run when should have won the SA Cup

Pembrook Benny - feature race winner in Auckland during Dec

Kiwi Ingenuity - close up in Miracle Mile, feature mares race winner in December at long odds on

Changover - placed in NZ FFA, feature race winner in Auckland in Dec/Jan

Karloo Mick - Cordina Chicken Sprint winner, placed in Miracle Mile and Treuer Memorial before winning some easy ones in the country. Placed in Ballarat Cup

Others to finish down the track include:
Mr Feelgood - placed Popular Alm FFA (1st past post), won New Year Sprint, placed Bendigo and Ballarat Cup. Maybe he wasn't actually that far below his best in NZ and instead he had just been racing against the very best horses around in hindsight.

Nearea Franco - placed in NZ FFA

Be Good Johnny - placed in Bohemia Crystal FFA

Washakie - should have won the Bohemia Crystal FFA when he got poleaxed. Since won the Treuer and WA Pacing Cup

Power Of Tara - sent to Tony Peacock in Victoria and since placed in Vic Cup Consolation. Won Launceston Cup

Bondy - scratched from the NZ Cup on race morning but would have started about 10-1. Brained them in the Pure Steel on Saturday night and is 3rd favourite for the Hunter Cup

 

[carltonblue]

Blackie sure proved some of you guys wrong today!