Tough draws for Kiwis on night two of Inter Dominion

[Wandering Eyes]

by Adam Hamilton

Millionaire Kiwi trotter Oscar Bonavena’s exasperating start to the Brisbane Inter Dominion series has taken another twist.

Mark and Nathan Purdon’s superstar nine-year-old has drawn gate one – probably one draw they didn’t want – in his do-or-die second round heat at Albion Park next Saturday night.

Oscar Bonavena has a history of galloping when put under pressure from inside front row draws.

The awkward draw follows an opening night horror show where he was held-up and hit the line full of running in seventh place.

Driver Adam Sanderson returned to Mark Purdon and put his hand up for a bad draw.

It has left Oscar Bonavena precariously placed to make the final so drawing one in the second and last heat is far less than ideal given his history.

Adding to the intrigue of that heat, series favourite Arcee Phoenix is drawn to follow out Oscar Bonavena from gate eight.

Arcee Phoenix smashed the clock when he sustained a big run from back in the field on opening night to run second to Kiwi young gun Bet N Win.

Bet N Win will dominate betting to win again night two after drawing gate three.

Driver Bob Butt should be able to push forward and find the lead.

His only real danger looks to be the gifted but wayward Gus, who ran a slashing second on night one.

Gus is out of the drawing, meaning he will start from barrier 12.

The news wasn’t great for the lone Kiwi in the pacing series with Pinseeker drawing barrier 11 on night two.

Making it much worse is the fact he is the same heat as Leap To Fame, Don Hugo and Catch A Wave.

It’s by far the strongest heat of the pacing series.

What an intriguing race it will be with Don Hugo drawn to lead from gate one and Leap To Fame yet again drawn inside the back row (gate eight).

This time Grant Dixon likely take his medicine and follow through behind Don Hugo.

But whether he stalk Don Hugo and beat the renowned speedster from off his back is highly debatable.

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