Devendra’s top draw

TASMANIAN pacer Devendra has made a great start to the 2017 Inter Dominion series by drawing the pole position in the opening heat at Gloucester Park, Perth, tonight.

The Todd Rattray-trained and driven gelding is in the first of three heats on the night and, given his impeccable gate speed, Rattray is thrilled with the draw.

“We came to this series because he has brilliant gate speed and that is a great asset if you draw the front line at Gloucester Park and coming up with the one gate is a real bonus,” Rattray said.

While the barrier draw has thrilled Devendra’s trainer, there is a down side as he is pitted against the two favourites to win the series — Soho Tribeca, in gate two, and star New Zealander Lazarus, unbeaten from four starts this preparation.

“Great barrier but extremely strong opposition — so, it’s all balanced out really,” Rattray said.

“It puts us in a fairly good position because making the final is all about building up enough points and we can earn good points from this draw if the horse is up to it.”

Devendra travelled to Perth by air in the early hours of Tuesday, and Rattray said the gelding settled in well at former Tasmanian Gary Elson’s training complex.

“He came to this series two years ago and won two of his three heats to easily make the final. So, he recognises his surroundings and that is helping him to settle in quickly,” Rattray said.

Devendra drew an outside gate in the 2015 Inter Dominion final and the horse tired to finish last of 10.