No love for Kiwis at Menangle
On a day that promised so much, Interdominion Grand Final day delivered very little for the Kiwi contingent.
Touted as a potential bonanza for the 19-strong New Zealand assault, the day instead flopped, with not one returning victorious.
With seven Gr I races on offer, it was expected at least one victory would fall New Zealand’s way, but instead it became a day New Zealand harness racing would rather forget.
Smolda and Terror To Love were both valiant in the Interdominion Final, but had to bow down to a brilliant Beautide, who smashed the best pacers in Australasia in a manner which was more akin to an open class horse taking on a field of maidens.
Both the Kiwi horses did work and fought bravely, but were ultimately outclassed.
Smolda boxed on well after leading for the final lap to finish fifth, while Terror To Love was checked 100m out from the post and then eased down by driver Ricky May.
Even the wonder-mare Adore Me suffered defeat.
She was however fantastic in doing so though after working hard from her outside barrier draw, but the look of disbelief on Mark Purdon’s face when $ 21 shot Vansumic dashed by at the 100m mark told the story.
Purdon and his training partner Natalie Rasmussen had a number of close misses.
In addition to Smolda and Adore Me they also picked up a third placing with three-year-old filly Willow, who attempted to lead throughout in the New South Wales Oaks only to be run down in the shadows of the post, while Border Control fought well to finish fifth in the Chariots of Fire.
Things weren’t much better for Robert Dunn either. His two Chariots horses, Franco Nelson and Elios, were left gasping halfway down the Menangle straight, but did enough to finish in fourth and sixth position.
When Stent finished a tragedy beaten second in the Glenferrie Farms Challenge, the racing gods were rubbing salt into a gaping wound.
It followed Master Lavros galloping early from his good barrier draw.
There was one victory to smile about thankfully.
Junior driver Andre Poutama claimed the Australasian Young Drivers Series in the first race of the day after a week of consistent reinsmanship from the young horseman.
Poutama went into yesterday’s final with only one other driver able to beat him, fellow Kiwi Sam Ottley.
But midfield placings for the pair meant Poutama was awarded the title to continue his fine season in the sulky.