1998 Pacers Series
Royal Showgrounds, Hobart
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1998 Pacers Series |
Injury and the Kiwi fixation for large tracks reduced the usual influx of classy performers from New Zealand to Anvil Vance NZ, Anvils Star NZ, Bradshaw NZ, Happy Asset NZ and Sam Malone NZ -- with none of these being tightly assessed and only Anvil Vance NZ fancied in the early betting markets. The stone bruise which had caused smart Perth pacer Havago NZ to miss the A.G. Hunter Cup, had not responded to treatment. It had been on the third line of betting a 10/1 chance with Quantum Lobell when taken out shortly before final acceptors were declared. The earliest markets on the championship had Our Sir Vancelot NZ a 3/1 favourite, but solid support for this horse in all States soon had bookmakers working on a market with it a 5/2 favourite, from Sovereign Hill NZ, Rainbow Knight and Anvil Vance NZ at 6/1. The latter was the only Kiwi representative under 20/1. The rank outsider was the New Zealander Bradshaw NZ (a C0 class with just 12 lifetime wins) at as much as 100/1. The virus which had earlier swept through Brian Hancock's Teeny Lodge and interfered with the preparation of a number of his horses, had not unduly upset the training program of Our Sir Vancelot NZ and Quantum Lobell. On returning from the Victoria Cup at Moonee Valley, Hancock had sent Quantum Lobell to rest up for a few days at a neighbouring property, while Our Sir Vancelot NZ was isolated at Teeny Lodge, well away from other horses. Hancock had initially stated he would be starting three horses in the Inter Dominion with his third being the promising Renegade Mob. But a late change of plans saw the latter remain home when Our Sir Vancelot NZ and Quantum Lobell left for Hobart. There had also been a late change of plans for Perth's Justin Warwick. When it was time for Allwoods Chief and Try A Fluke NZ to make the trip, Ataturk also went along, despite earlier claims by the trainer his five-year-old was not seasoned enough to be competitive at this demanding level. Melbourne harness racing writer Neale Donnelley, attending his 21st successive Inter Dominion, based his major preview of the championship on the topic of barrier draws. "When the fields were released earlier this week for the opening round of heats for the Cadbury Inter Dominion, the groans of disappointment could be heard across the nation," he wrote. Donnelley pointed out how barrier draws in harness racing are usually important. "During the next fortnight in Hobart, barrier draws will be all that horsemen and connections will be discussing." Donnelley quoted a prominent trainer-driver claiming the whole series came down to what horses drew the best barriers. "If you don't have the luck when the fields are being done, you might as well stay home. Apart from Our Sir Vancelot NZ, this applied to probably every horse in the series." Brian Hancock was more philosophical about the draws. "You can't change them, so we just have to go out and do our best with whatever you get," he said. Subsequent events would show barrier draws were indeed important at that carnival with just one of the nine heats won by a horse starting off the second row. The opening round of heats from the mobile barrier would be over 1609 metres, the second round over 2000 metres, and the third night a trip of 2350 metres. This flew in the face of tradition in not having a distance event among the heats, again highlighting barrier draws, with some horsemen quick to express disappointment with no staying test in the heats. The $400,000 Grand Final on March 21 would be over 2750 metres, though these critics claimed some unlucky horses during the series might not get the chance to show their staying prowess in the quest for the big bucks. FIRST NIGHT One mile at the Hobart Showgrounds consists of two laps and 109 metres. The series was expected to get off to a helter skelter affair with several of the major fancies all drawing the opening heat, as a clash of Our Sir Vancelot NZ with Allwoods Chief and Rainbow Knight had the potential for this to be the most influential of the opening-round heats. The barrier draw for Heat 1 had Happy Asset NZ off the pole, from Jack Boyer, Late Bid NZ, Bradshaw NZ, Oroton Hill NZ and Kiwi John NZ all on the front row, then Strezlecki Lady, Allwoods Chief, Our Sir Vancelot NZ and Rainbow Knight. Those who had snapped up the early odds on offer with the pre-post favourite would have been reasonably happy that Our Sir Vancelot NZ had not drawn more awkwardly such as inside or on the outside of the second row, though Brian Hancock was not so sure. In press interviews he warned punters not to expect miracles from his horse over this short distance. "He is no good thing to rack up top points from this barrier draw, coming out from behind Late Bid NZ, a noted slow beginner." Hancock expressed his belief that horses drawn off the second row would struggle over this distance around the tight circuit. Opening night of the 1998 Inter Dominion would see the colourful Justin Warwick in the wars -- not from any skirmish with any official, but struck down with a bout of chicken pox. Having earlier missed driving in a Perth leg of the Grand Circuit because of illness on the day, and having driven from time-to-time despite a painful knee injury, here he was on the opening night of the biggest carnival of the year having at the 11th hour to find replacement drivers. Tony Herlihy got the drive behind Allwoods Chief, with Brian Hancock driving Ataturk in the second heat, and Herlihy to pilot Try A Fluke NZ in the third. The meeting would prove a costly miss for Warwick the reinsman. Bradshaw NZ began best to lead the field in the opening heat until mid-way Hancock sent the favourite forward from the rear. No one up front was prepared to take on Our Sir Vancelot NZ, and a surprised reinsman merely coasted to the lead with the horse then seeming to settle better than it usual did when stoked up in the mid stages of its races. The class of the favourite still returned a smart time with the heat paced in 1:56.9. There seemed little doubt that had Hancock put his foot on the accelerator, his horse would have beaten Karalta Bay's long-standing track record of 1:56.3. But track records were not what had brought the astute NSW horseman to Hobart. Picking up valuable points without knocking your horse around was the formula Hancock followed in these carnivals. Bradshaw NZ performed better than pre-race betting markets indicated to be second, with Happy Asset NZ third. In fact, the six pacers by New Zealand-based sires in this heat made up the first six placings! Hancock was delighted with his horse having its first start in four weeks. "When I went around them I was prepared to have sat outside the leader, but I did not have to when they let me roll to the front so easily. My horse raced nice and fresh tonight, and he backed off lovely, perhaps the first time he's done that for me in two years." Hancock was convinced his horse would benefit greatly from the run. Heat 1 - 1609m: Our Sir Vancelot NZ (Brian Hancock), 1; Bradshaw NZ (Ken Barron), 2; Happy Asset NZ (Anthony Butt), 3. MR: 1:56.9. Most horses drawn the second division could count themselves fortunate being in what appeared to be the weakest of the three heats on opening night. Securing the pole was the former Kiwi Hoppys Jet NZ now prepared by Graeme Lang. This seven-year-old son of Sokys Atom USA was yet another moderate performer caught up in the New Zealand handicapping system of being thrown into the deep end after only a handful of wins. Hoppys Jet NZ had won just six races, yet it now competed against horses that had won three times this number of races. Drawn next to him was Talk About Charles NZ, an ex-Kiwi and the winner of 14 races, whose latest form was only fair. Ataturk had not raced since its super impressive performance at Moonee Valley. Its five wins of the season had taken its tally of victories to 18. Sovereign Hill NZ had won just two races for the season. One of these was the Australian Pacing Championship. Captain Rufus NZ may have disappointed in the A.G. Hunter Cup, but the horse still had a lot of admirers who clung to the belief the five-year-old stallion would still emerge a topliner, though some punters were beginning to run out of excuses for it. Making up the front row was the Purdon's Anvil Vance NZ, whose two wins for the season had still left its owners well short of breaking even on their investment. The second row draw had Son Of Pearl on the fence, from the local performer Shiver Me Timbers, Kentuckiana and Manaville. Any of four horses from the first heat could have run favourite had they drawn this second heat. Instead, it was left to some solid support for Anvil Vance NZ to ensure this Kiwi would start a 2/1 favourite, with some support also for Ataturk with it firming to start at 9/4. Once Ataturk found the lead, fill-in reinsman Brian Hancock rated the horse extremely well to keep enough in reserve to hold off Anvil Vance NZ and Talk About Charles NZ, with Sovereign Hill NZ a somewhat disappointing fourth. Ataturk had raced marginally faster than the first heat winner, stopping the clock at 1:56.5, pacing home its last 800 metres in 57.7. "Ataturk travelled super, and Justin is a top trainer-driver, so I am sorry he missed the drive tonight," said Hancock, who added: "But I'm so glad he gave me the chance of standing-in." Winning the first two heats then placed Brian Hancock in a position to achieve what no other horseman has ever done -- drive all three heat winners on an opening night. His drive in the third and last heat would be Quantum Lobell, drawn favourably in barrier 2. It's not often leading New Zealand reinsman Tony Herlihy seems to be dogged by bad luck in a major race, but in the second heat this fine horseman accustomed to the spacious New Zealand tracks had appeared almost at sea on this small circuit, being caught out four-wide early and then working overtime to finally make it into the "death". To have finished off its race rather well after such a hard run was a good effort by Anvil Vance NZ in the circumstances. Heat 2 - 1609m: Ataturk (Brian Hancock), 1; Anvil Vance NZ (Tony Herlihy), 2; Talk About Charles NZ (Peter Tritton), 3. MR: 1:56.5. There was every chance the final heat of opening night would be decided inside the first 100 metres, as the two main fancies -- Quantum Lobell and Try A Fluke NZ-- had been favoured by the barrier draw. Anthony Butt was finding Anvils Star NZ to be no Blossom Lady NZ, though drawing the pole now gave it some hope. Next to him was Brian Hancock with Quantum Lobell, then Hancock's father-in-law Tony Turnbull driving Roman Origin, with Try A Fluke NZ coming out of barrier 4. Because of the draw, the race gave the appearance of it being a two-horse affair. Making up the field were the Victorians Newsbreaker NZ and Skipper Trust, and on the second row Sam Malone NZ, Holy Chip, Northern Brewer and Laneway. Turnbull will always be remembered as the trainer-driver who was the first ever to win back-to-back Inter Dominion titles with his grand performer Hondo Grattan. Now the oldest reinsman competing in this series, his horse Roman Origin was stepping up in class having been taken along quietly on country tracks and making the occasional raid on Harold Park. A five-year-old stallion, Roman Origin had won 28 races, no less than 11 of these in the current season. Its latest outings not only produced three wins from three starts -- in each of these the horse had returned mile rates of around 1:58.5. Was that the form of a promising horse prepared by an astute veteran horseman that could cause a major upset? Turnbull had driven on a great many tracks around Australia, but never at the Hobart Showgrounds. With Australia's fastest race winning pacer of all time coming out of barrier 2, the public warmed to Quantum Lobell and its trainer-driver who had that winning touch at Inter Dominion time. Obviously an A.G. Hunter Cup winner also drawn the front row must be considered a top class chance, and for some not keen on taking the odds-on price about the Hancock pacer, they placed their faith in the rejuvenated Try A Fluke NZ. The chances of the latter turning in a big run was enhanced by Ataturk's victory, as some still remembered Warwick earlier claiming Ataturk was not as seasoned as Try A Fluke NZ for this series. Quantum Lobell was sent out the 4/5 favourite, with Try A Fluke NZ well supported to start at 2/1. Back home on those large New Zealand tracks, Tony Herlihy has long been noted for his patience, as is generally the style of driving in that country. In the final heat on opening night, Herlihy came out running with Try A Fluke NZ, crossing his main rival with flair inside the first 100 metres. Once in front, Herlihy backed off the speed significantly. It was though he was daring Hancock or any other driver to commit themselves to a move, perhaps even taking on this last-start Hunter Cup winner. Such tactics achieved two things. It turned the heat into a farcically-run affair, but in so doing it effectively ended the chances of the others outsprinting the Perth pacer in the last lap. In a fairly predictable result once Quantum Lobell had not gained the early lead, Try A Fluke NZ led the field home in a time more than four seconds slower than the other heats, chased by Quantum Lobell and Anvils Star NZ. The victory, the second in the three heats for Justin Warwick, was surely a real tonic for his chicken pox. Still, it would have been nice for him to have also had his name in the record books as the driver of a double in Inter Dominion heats on the same night. "I was in no shape to have done justice to the horses out on the track. But once I made the decision to stand down and then obtained the other drivers, it allowed me to just concentrate on preparing the horses, and I began to feel a lot better. It is really great winning two of the three heats, and perhaps Allwoods Chief will do a lot better in the other heats," he said. Inter Dominions have long been noted for rival horsemen eager to score points "off the track" as well as on it. After the opening night of heats the debate on whether such a tight circuit should be used for an Inter Dominion took an interesting turn when several drivers complained they thought the track surface was far too loose. Among the more outspoken of these were Graeme Lang (Hoppys Jet NZ) and Peter Tritton (Kiwi John NZ and Talk About Charles NZ). With the host club likely to take on board this criticism, visiting Kiwi reinsman Tony Herlihy quickly countered them by stating that the surface would not want to be any harder than it was! Perhaps the reason for the surface being somewhat shifty was the recent doing away of the inside running rail, followed by the track being top-dressed, with Hobart officials suggesting more time was needed for it to consolidate. (This is one area where Australia has much to learn from the US, as often for their biggest meetings the track is dug up on the morning of the meeting, then carefully put down with a "cushion" on top that provides extra fast racing.) Heat 3 - 1609m: Try A Fluke NZ (Tony Herlihy), 1; Quantum Lobell (Brian Hancock), 2; Anvils Star NZ (Anthony Butt), 3. MR: 2:00.2. |
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SECOND NIGHT Inter Dominion history had been made on the opening night at Hobart when the two winners driven by Brian Hancock enabled the NSW horseman to become the most successful reinsman in the long history of this event. Hancock had shared the record of 18 winners with the late Vin Knight going into that opening night. His 20 winners now included 16 heat winners, three Grand Final successes, and a Consolation victory. Meanwhile, Perth's Justin Warwick had been confined to bed on medical advice. So ill had he been on the night of the opening round of heats that this usually fun-loving guy had been in no condition to have gone out on the town celebrating his training of two of the three heat winners. "I'm suffering now from living life in the fast lane," he told friends, adding how his horses were a lot fitter than he. No sooner had the sun rose the following morning than Warwick was taken to hospital for treatment, and admitted to be given treatment for 24 hours, and told to stay in bed for the next couple of days. This left his sister Chelsea to carry out his instructions with his three pacers. Because of the commitments of Brian Hancock and Tony Herlihy with their own horses, it was extremely difficult if not impossible retaining both horsemen to continue driving for Warwick in the following heats, as too many horses were involved and quite a shuffle-up in the fields would occur. The bed-ridden horseman sent an SOS back home to his father to drop everything and come quickly to Hobart to drive Allwoods Chief, Try A Fluke NZ and Ataturk for him on the second night. If the Warwicks had enjoyed a father-son relationship with horses that was not unlike the verbal encounters between the legendary Vin Knight and his father Bob, issuing instructions or criticism from a sick bed does not carry the same weight, and blood always being thicker than water, saw the senior Warwick not hesitate. At a time when he was second on the Perth training premiership to his highly successful son, Trevor Warwick wasted little time catching a flight across the continent to Melbourne, then boarding a plane to Hobart for the second night of racing on March 11. When he arrived, his son explained his three horses may well have lost an edge he believed they had in fitness because of his specialised training schedule having been disrupted by his illness. The barrier draws for the 2000-metre heats on the second night had been good for the main fancies, with Anvils Star NZ and Sovereign Hill NZ the only horses in the top dozen or so in early betting having drawn second rows. If some of the lessor lights struggled for points on opening night, they would now really be up against the odds. It was quite remarkable how the marbles for the second round of heats dealt a tough blow to some horses that had gone into the series virtually making up the fields. But that's the way the marbles fall at times. The main points after the first night were -- 14 Ataturk, Our Sir Vancelot NZ, Try A Fluke NZ. 11 Anvil Vance NZ, Bradshaw, Quantum Lobell. 9 Anvils Star NZ, Happy Asset NZ, Talk About Charles NZ. 7 Oroton Hill NZ, Roman Origin, Sovereign Hill NZ. 6 Late Bid NZ, Newsbreaker NZ, Son Of Pearl. 5 Holy Chip NZ, Kiwi John NZ, Manaville. The barrier draw for heat 4 was -- Roman Origin, Anvil Vance NZ, Try A Fluke NZ, Kentuckiana, Our Sir Vancelot NZ and Strezlecki Lady (front row), and a second row of Skipper Trust, Holy Chip NZ, Bradshaw NZ and Oroton Hill NZ. While some form followers might not have agreed, Auckland trainer Barry Purdon had for some months in singing the praises of Anvil Vance NZ claimed it was one of the fastest beginners he had trained. In bumping up against Our Sir Vancelot NZ in this heat, Anvil Vance NZ from barrier 2 would now be given the opportunity to demonstrate its prowess in leading with the star of the Hancock team that would come out of barrier 5. "This series is a bit of a learning curve for this horse because he is only five," said Purdon. Then added: "But I would not have brought him here if I didn't think he had a real chance of winning." He also reminded the media how his horse had come through three races in 10 days earlier in Auckland to toughen him up for this trip to Hobart. Anvil Vance NZ did not let its trainer down, coming out of the gate fast to be untroubled in leading, then taking up a handy trail. The anticipated battle between the Kiwi and the defending Inter Dominion champion did not eventuate. Our Sir Vancelot NZ blotted its copybook when the horse broke in running, tailing out to finish last. Hancock would have been well aware bringing up the rear with his horse that it would now need to finish in the first two or so in the final round of heats to make it through to the Grand Final, irrespective of what happened in the following two heats. Tony Herlihy had added to his expanding record in Inter Dominion Championships by bringing Anvil Vance NZ home a clear winner. The horse which had reportedly cost Purdon and his two friends close to $300,000, was still only chipping away at earning them back some of their investment. Still, it was a win that would have done their hearts good, even if it was only a modest thrill for their pockets. Ballarat's Skipper Trust was a much improved second, with Try A Fluke NZ's third surely securing it a place in the Grand Final after just two heats. Heat 4 - 2000m: Anvil Vance NZ (Barry Purdon), 1; Skipper Trust (David Murphy), 2; Try A Fluke NZ (Trevor Warwick), 3. MR: 1:58.5. For the second time in its two appearances, Quantum Lobell in Heat 5 would start from barrier 2. Ataturk, the only other horse bookmakers had inside each-way odds, would start from the outside of the front row -- a tough ask at Hobart to lead any fast beginners drawn inside. In barrier order the field was -- Talk About Charles NZ, Quantum Lobell, Son Of Pearl, Late Bid NZ, Captain Rufus NZ, Ataturk, with the second row consisting of Northern Brewer, Happy Asset NZ, Laneway and Newsbreaker NZ. From its ideal barrier, Quantum Lobell was taken straight to the front and never headed in a fast-run race in which the horse set a new track record for the distance when rating 1:57.2. Late Bid NZ made the most of any lack of depth in this heat by grabbing second place and much needed points, while Newsbreaker NZ showed a glimpse of its best form in holding down third place. Once again Captain Rufus NZ had let his backers down. Ataturk had little luck and could beat home only Laneway and Happy Asset NZ. Son Of Pearl in its two starts at Hobart had shown it was greatly troubled by the tight track. Quantum Lobell's good showings in its two heats would have, like Try A Fluke NZ, already totalled up enough points for a Grand Final berth, taking the pressure of it when the last round of heats were staged. Heat 5 - 2000m: Quantum Lobell (Brian Hancock), 1; Late Bid NZ (Dennis Wilson), 2; Newsbreaker NZ (Gavin Lang), 3. MR: 1:57.2. (Track record). For what Justin Warwick described as his best horse, Allwoods Chief had not set the world on fire at its most recent starts. Now, coming out of barrier 2 in Heat 6, the draw had given this rejuvenated stallion a great chance of securing maximum points, with its main dangers in this heat Rainbow Knight on the pole, and Sovereign Hill NZ drawn awkwardly on the second row. Standing between Allwoods Chief and Rainbow Knight leading from their favourable barriers was Sam Malone NZ, a brilliant beginner. The barrier draw was -- Rainbow Knight, Allwoods Chief, Sam Malone NZ, Hoppys Jet BZ, Shiver Me Timbers and Jack Boyer off the front, then Anvils Vance NZ, Kiwi John NZ, Sovereign Hill NZ and Manaville. Perhaps in normal circumstances Sovereign Hill NZ might well have followed Sam Malone NZ out and then taken up a forward position, but the Darren Hancock-trained stayer seemed to have left much of its sparkle behind when coming to Hobart, and was fast falling out of favour with some astute punters. Jim O'Sullivan did have little trouble spearing Sam Malone NZ across to the fence to lead with Gavin Lang content to have Rainbow Knight right on its back. Once again Allwoods Chief was the one out doing the hard work, and again the horse failed to flatter at the business end of this heat with Rainbow Knight finishing strongly to edge out Sam Malone NZ and Anvils Star NZ. Heat 6 - 2000m: Rainbow Knight (Gavin Lang), 1. Sam Malone NZ (Jim O'Sullivan), 2. Anvils Star NZ (Anthony Butt), 3. MR: 1:58.1. After two rounds of heats, the series was already sorting out many of the likely finalists, with seven horses now ahead of Our Sir Vancelot NZ on the points table which meant the pre-post favourite did need to finish in the first three of its last heat to make it through. The big name pacers now in danger of not reaching the Grand Final were Captain Rufus NZ Sovereign Hill NZ and Allwoods Chief, while already it was more than likely that none of the Tasmanians would be starting in the Grand Final. Progress Points: 25 Anvil Vance NZ, Quantum Lobell; 23 Try A Fluke NZ; 18 Anvils Star NZ; 17 Ataturk, Rainbow Knight; 16 Bradshaw NZ; 15 Late Bid NZ, Our Sir Vancelot NZ, Sam Malone NZ, Talk About Charles NZ; 14 Roman Origin; 13 Newsbreaker NZ; 12 Kiwi John NZ, Skipper Trust; 11 Captain Rufus NZ, Oroton Hill NZ, Sovereign Hill NZ; 10 Happy Asset NZ, Kentuckiana, Son Of Pearl; 9 Allwoods Chief; 8 Holy Chip NZ, Hoppys Jet NZ; 7 Northern Brewer; 6 Manaville; 5 Laneway; 4 Jack Boyer, Shiver Me Timbers; 3 Strezlecki Lady. The parry and thrust between drivers of leading fancies during an Inter Dominion Carnival is never far from making the news. Now it was Brian Hancock's turn to try and deflect some of the pressure away from him in qualifying the short-priced pre-race favourite following Our Sir Vancelot NZ finishing last in its second-round heat. "Every year the Inter Dominion throws up a horse who rises to the occasion, and now Anvil Vance NZ is Hobart's example," exclaimed Hancock, who was loud in his praise for the Purdon-trained pacer. "Look at his form over here. He worked very hard on opening night, which has never been his caper, then he bolted in here in the second round," added Hancock. Many punters were quick to agree, and bookmakers betting on the Grand Final were forced to shorten the price of the Kiwi when there was a rush to support Anvil Vance NZ. Its price was slashed from 6/1 before this heat, to 7/2 second fancy after its splendid effort. THIRD NIGHT Punters would not have to wait long to see Anvil Vance NZ tested as the horse to emerge as the main challenger to Our Sir Vancelot NZ. Not only would these two meet in the same race on the third and last round of heats, but Our Sir Vancelot NZ drew the pole and Anvil Vance NZ barrier 2 in Heat 7. On paper it was a strong heat as Sovereign Hill NZ had also drawn off the front, while for Ataturk, Late Bid NZ, Newsbreaker NZ and Kiwi John NZ, this would be their last-ditch fight to seek the necessary points to make the Grand Final. In barrier order the field was -- Our Sir Vancelot NZ, Anvil Vance NZ, Sovereign Hill NZ, Ataturk, Late Bid NZ and Northern Brewer, second row Hoppys Jet NZ, Son Of Pearl, Newsbreaker NZ and Kiwi John NZ. Because of the high esteem Barry Purdon commands with his remarkable record in big races, it was generally conceded if the trainer believed Anvil Vance NZ was such a brilliant beginner, then it would lead from barrier 2. Speculation was then rife that Hancock would not wish to be caught on the inside, so in keeping away from the fence it might well race wide for the entire trip. But no one its seems showed this script to Hancock. At barrier release the NSW horseman had Our Sir Vancelot NZ come out hard and fast with Tony Herlihy unable to get Anvil Vance NZ across him coming to the first bend. From that moment on this heat was as good as over, with the polemarker edging away from the Kiwi in the home straight, and Late Bid NZ battling on gamely for third. Hancock was delighted with his horse now back on target for the Grand Final. "There were no worries tonight, and even though he pulled a bit hard again, I was happy with the result. We've had to get there the hard way, but we are there now, and he will be spot on for next week's big race." Purdon was also pleased with his horse's second, with the New Zealand trainer also believing Anvil Vance NZ was now primed to run the race of its life the following Saturday. Late Bid NZ's third placing would earn it a place in the final. Heat 7 - 2360m: Our Sir Vancelot NZ (Brian Hancock), 1; Anvil Vance NZ (Tony Herlihy), 2; Late Bid NZ (Dennis Wilson), 3. MR: 1:59.3. Horses drawn in Heat 8 still in the running for a berth in the Grand Final were fortunate that the depth to this field did not appear to rival the other two heats on the final night. In barrier order the field would be -- Oroton Hill NZ, Anvils Star NZ, Captain Rufus NZ, Bradshaw NZ, Try A Fluke NZ, Laneway, and second row Shiver Me Timbers, Rainbow Night, Skipper Trust and Kentuckiana. Only Try A Fluke NZ would go into this race confident of being in the Grand Final, with this heat offering a pathway into the big race for Rainbow Knight, Anvils Star NZ, Captain Rufus NZ or Bradshaw NZ if finishing in the first three. With so much at stake, no quarter would be asked or given in this battle. This heat would be a triumph for the Victorian Captain Rufus NZ, probably the most improved pacer during the series having gone from an eighth in the opening round to Ataturk, then fourth behind Quantum Lobell, and now beating Anvils Star NZ and Bradshaw NZ. All three would collect enough points to make it through, with Rainbow Knight's luckless seventh to cost it dearly. Heat 8 - 2360m: Captain Rufus NZ (Ted Demmler), 1; Anvils Star NZ (Anthony Butt), 2; Bradshaw NZ (Ken Barron), 3. MR: 2:02.6. In keeping with its extraordinary luck with barrier draws during this series, Quantum Lobell came up with pole position in Heat 9. Also off the front would be Allwoods Chief, Talk About Charles NZ, Jack Boyer, Happy Asset NZ and Holy Chip from the front, then the second row of Sam Malone NZ, Strezlecki Lady, Roman Origin and Manaville. Not only was Quantum Lobell assured of a place in the Grand Final -- a win would see it finish the heats on top of the points. The usually fast beginning Quantum Lobell did not let its supporters down, packing too many guns for Allwoods Chief and Sam Malone NZ to be the second horse Brian Hancock had qualified for the Grand Final. The Justin Warwick stable had also qualified two for the big race, though Allwoods Chief's second was not enough for it to be one of the Perth trainer's pair to go on. From its awkward barrier draw, Sam Malone NZ's third was a pleasant surprise, enabling him to be two points inside the cut-off number. For the first time in the series a Kiwi-bred pacer had not finished in the first two. Heat 9 - 2360m: Quantum Lobell (Brian Hancock), 1; Allwoods Chief (Trevor Warwick), 2; Sam Malone NZ (Jim O'Sullivan), 3. MR: 2:02. Final Points: 39 Quantum Lobell; 36 Anvil Vance NZ; 30 Try A Fluke; 29 Anvils Star NZ, Our Sir Vancelot NZ; 26 Late Bid NZ; 25 Bradshaw NZ; 24 Captain Rufus NZ, Sam Malone NZ; 23 Ataturk; 22 Newsbreaker NZ (emerg.); 21 Rainbow Knight (emerg.), Talk About Charles NZ; 20 Allwoods Chief; 17 Happy Asset NZ, Oroton Hill NZ, Roman Origin, Skipper Trust; 16 Kiwi John NZ, Sovereign Hill NZ; 13 Holy Chip NZ, Kentuckiana, Son Of Pearl; 10 Hoppys Jet NZ; 8 Jack Boyer, Northern Brewer; 7 Manaville; 6 Shiver Me Timbers; 5 Laneway, Strezlecki Lady. GRAND FINAL The profits of doom regarding second-row barrier draws going into this series had for once been proven correct. Only one horse throughout the entire nine heats had won coming off the second row -- Our Sir Vancelot NZ in the very first heat, underlining the edge in ability he appeared to have over his rivals. Only twice in the heats had a horse drawn the second row managed to be placed -- Anvils Star NZ from barrier 7 on the second night finishing third, and Sam Malone NZ third also from barrier 7 in its final heat. Perhaps this suggested the barrier some feared as being one of the worst to draw, was not too bad when a polemarker could begin quickly, enabling the horse on its back to have the chance of enjoying a good run through and be in a forward position for much of the trip. Some visiting journalists covering the series had been quick to support drivers critical of an Inter Dominion held on small tracks, allowing barrier draws to exert too much influence over this prestigious event. Even the local newspaper The Mercury on the Monday morning following the heats, under the banner of "Reigning Inter champ at mercy of barrier draw" explained to readers that all drivers in the final were now waiting for "fate to play its part with the barrier draw." The writer pointed out how bookmakers held a large liability with Our Sir Vancelot NZ should it win. The horse's price before the barrier draw was 5/4. Should it be drawn off the front, the story predicted it would tumble in to around 1/2, making it one of the shortest-priced favourites in history. Brian Hancock was happy to point out his stable star was better than any of the other nine horses to make it through to the Grand Final. "But the tight Hobart Showground track had the potential to stifle the champion's ability. The barrier draw is going to be crucial, and until we know our starting positions, this final is wide open. I have no doubts Our Sir Vancelot NZ is the best horse in the race, but this track is a real leveller and luck is going to play a bigger role than normal," he stated. One disappointing aspect for Tasmanian harness racing was that not one of their local horses came even close to making the Grand Final, and just one (Northern Brewer) would contest the Consolation. Among those not waiting around to contest the Consolation were Sovereign Hill NZ, Son Of Pearl and Manaville. The latter had simply been outclassed, while the other pair had both performed well below their best. Vic Rasmussen put his loss of form down to not handling the track. "Son Of Pearl came here with top form and until now has handled all sorts of tracks. But not this one, as he couldn't go a yard because of the turns. All I can say is 1000-metre tracks have a lot going for them. In future I will be a bit more careful about where I take this horse to race," he said. (Some other visiting horsemen were happy with the crossfall on the turns, with the short straights being the problem to them.) The barrier draw for the 1998 Cadbury Inter Dominion was held on the Tuesday at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, the venue where the Australian Harness Racing Council (and Inter Dominion officials) held their annual round of meetings during the carnival. With Cadbury the major sponsor, a representative of each finalist was called forward to select a box of chocolates. Each box had a barrier number beneath it. Barrier draws can at times be a lot like playing cards. Not only can the unexpected happen when drawing numbers, but the law of averages can at times be made to look rather ridiculous. The large gathering of horsemen, owners, officials and guests did not have to wait long for the first surprise with the draw. The grandmother of Justin Warwick had handed him a ring before the draw saying it would bring him good luck. When Warwick's first box of chocolates came up with barrier 1 for Try A Fluke NZ, he was delighted. Then when his second box gave Ataturk barrier 2, he was ecstatic. "If the ring is that lucky, I will have to be wearing it when I drive Try A Fluke NZ on Saturday night." Having two starters in his first Inter Dominion was a feather-in-the-cap for the young Perth horseman. Drawing side-by-side in such a manner indicated that Warwick was indeed blessed. Anvils Star NZ, one of four Kiwi pacers in the field, grabbed barrier 3, and Quantum Lobell's amazing run of good fortune in the draws continued with Brian Hancock's second-stringer drawing 4. Having in its three heats twice started from 2 and the third occasion from the pole, it was Quantum Lobell's 'worst' draw of the series. Captain Rufus NZ and Sam Malone NZ made up the front row. This established that the short-priced favourite would start off the second row. Earlier in the luncheon that preceded the draw, Hancock had indicated if Our Sir Vancelot NZ missed drawing a spot on the front row, he hoped he would get barrier 8, as he was not looking forward having to try and handle the Hobart track from the inside or the outside of the second row. Bradshaw NZ was the one to draw barrier 7, and Late Bid NZ the unfortunate horse that would start from the outside. The two favourites for the Grand Final drew side-by-side -- Our Sir Vancelot NZ in number 8, and Anvil Vance NZ number 9. New Zealand, though considered not to have sent a team as strong this season as in recent years, would be represented in the Grand Final by four horses, NSW would have three, Western Australia two, and one from Victoria. No less than eight of the 10 starters were Kiwi-bred. The barrier draw and drivers were – 1. Try A Fluke NZ (Justin Warwick) Inter Dominion carnivals have long been a bevy of rumours running rife, with Hobart no different. The day following the barrier draw every man and his dog had heard that Our Sir Vancelot NZ was sore and there was some doubt over the short-priced favourite making it to the start. Several bookmakers reacted to this news by easing the horse's price from 4/5 to 10/9. It was only when anxious officials spoke to the trainer that the real source of the rumour was run to ground. Hancock explained the horse had surprisingly worn his shoes out because of the unexpected toughness of the training surface at the showgrounds, and having to travel to and from training on asphalt. "A set of racing plates usually last Our Sir Vancelot NZ about three weeks, which I thought would easily get us through the carnival. But we did get caught because the track has been harder than we thought and his shoes had become paper thin. So I had Teeny Lodge fly in a set of racing plates for both horses." (These arrived the day after the barrier draw.) "So I expect everything to be right for Saturday, and neither horse is sore." Following the completion of the barrier draw, the topic in the thoughts and minds of all harness enthusiasts that week in Hobart, and beyond, centred around the likely tactics Hancock would use driving the favourite from the second row. The previous week having driven an unprecedented five of the nine heat winners had made up for lost time in not having driven in a Tasmanian Pacing Championship for some years, though he had won successive George Johnson FFA's for mares with Sabilize USA and Elite Rena on this circuit. To an experienced horseman as he, this recent success would surely play a key part in deciding his tactics. Yet, when it came down to the crunch, most astute followers of form that week predicted he had only two options. One would be to drive for luck and hope by following out Ataturk he could take up a handy position one away from the inside. His second option, and the more likely for a driver who really believed he was aboard a horse better than its rivals, was to do what visiting reinsmen were now doing in winning the annual Tasmanian Championship with a horse with ample ability. That is, throw caution to the wind early by getting around the field at a time when rivals might not be prepared to use up their own horse just to make it harder on the favourite. To delay matters and make a run from the rear in the last half-mile was just not on for a short-priced favourite in a big race at Hobart. If the favourite in drawing the second row had changed the expected outcome of this race drastically, it was not seen in the guarded comments of trainers that week, though Barry Purdon was extremely confident his horse would be the main danger to Our Sir Vancelot NZ. "Anvil Vance NZ is a horse on the way up, but he will need some luck from his barrier, as will the favourite," explained the leading New Zealand trainer. "This is just part of my horse's toughening-up process, but he has thrived since running third in the Hunter Cup in what was clearly the best run in that race." Stabled with Anvil Vance NZ during the carnival were the two horses brought down from Sydney by Peter Walsh -- Late Bid NZ and Kentuckiana. Often during the two weeks Late Bid NZ was worked alongside Anvil Vance NZ. Until drawing badly in barrier 10, both Walsh and his driver Dennis Wilson had been expecting big things from Late Bid NZ over the distance of the Grand Final. Apart from being successful horsemen, Walsh and Wilson have something else in common as trainers. They have long been associated with patrons who enjoy having a punt, and their teaming up for this trip to Hobart would ensure stable supporters were not short of ammunition to fire off in the betting ring. Someone close to the stable had not held back in supporting Late Bid NZ at good odds. In the days leading up to the big final, Hobart's leading bookmaker on the series, Barry Heawood, pointed out how Late Bid NZ had now become his worst result with several handy bets, including one of $30,000 to $750 each-way at 40/1. Perhaps not so big in years gone by when bookies were the mainstay of betting, it was no less one which now made Heawood extremely wary. A crowd estimated at more than 11,000 turned out on Grand Final night delighting the club and its efforts, as Hobart has a population well below that of any other club that hosts this annual carnival. A number of the big punters from the mainland had backed Our Sir Vancelot NZ in the early betting on the championship, so had little reason to now take the 5/4 on offer. For those seeking to back something to beat the favourite, the two most in demand were Anvil Vance NZ (despite its poor draw) and Try A Fluke NZ off the pole. The extremely short run to the first corner at the start of any race at Hobart makes things awkward for horses drawn out wide, so when Justin Warwick kicked up along the rails determined to retain the lead with Try A Fluke NZ, other drivers off the front went looking for whatever cover they could find. While this was unfolding up front, Brian Hancock had purposely eased the favourite out at the start to be a conspicuous last at the first turn. To many watching from the stands, it was not difficult to see what was in his mind. He had consistently claimed to have a horse better than its rivals, now he was about to put this theory to the ultimate test. Early in the race while drivers were hell-bent on giving their horses as easy-a-run as possible in preparation to running out a strong 2750m, Hancock slipped the favourite into top gear, and charged forward out wide. Finding the 'death-seat' so early in the race was never part of his plan. His gamble was in having Our Sir Vancelot NZ reach the front, hopefully without too much attention from rivals whose drivers might see the folly engaging in a battle with the favourite so far from home. Hancock, having dominated this series winning five of the nine heats, had done his homework well. By making his move so early, it involved just one turn before crossing Try A Fluke NZ and taking over the running. Perhaps some drivers were taken by surprise to see Our Sir Vancelot NZ moving forward so early at a great rate, while others were not given time to ponder whether to go or stay. The sudden move, though surely expected by many 'driving' from the stands, did away with the question of awkward barriers with him once in front then able to dictate his own terms. And to help in these tactics being successful, the favourite for once did seem to settle reasonably well. When winning his first Inter Dominion in Adelaide a year before, Our Sir Vancelot NZ had tired close to the post after sprinting clear of its rivals before the hometurn. The son of Vance Hanover was a more seasoned campaigner now, and there was so sign of the horse failing to maintain its lead turning for home the last time. Mid-way up the short straight when the gelding had its second Inter Dominion in its keeping, a jubilant reinsman risked a fine from stewards by waving his whip to the crowd. On reaching the winning post he slumped forward in the sulky, his head suddenly bowed in a moment of extreme relief, as though some huge weight had just been lifted from his shoulders. Some pictures of the horse passing the post do indeed show the winning reinsman with head bowed. Try A Fluke NZ (16/1) ran on stoutly for second, with Late Bid NZ (16/1) a gallant third. Anvil Vance NZ was the big disappointment in beating only two home, and perhaps Ataturk a little unlucky not to have finished closer than fifth. Hancock was still emotional at the official presentation that followed. "This horse belongs to you people," he said over the public address system. "The people have adopted 'Sandy' like they did earlier with Popular Alm, Village Kid and Paleface Adios. It's a compliment in itself," he added. To be rated with those former greats was a big call. But then, Our Sir Vancelot NZ in winning two Inter Dominions, two WA Cups, two Treuer Memorials, a Miracle Mile, and $1.6 million in stakes, had little else to prove. And who knows, perhaps the public that night were paying homage to what might well be the first horse to win three successive Inter Dominion Championships. When asked this question after the presentation, Hancock predicted he and the horse would be going to Auckland in 1999. "I don't know if Our Sir Vancelot NZ can handle the right-handed track they have there. But I do know Quantum Lobell likes that way of going, and only time will tell whether this horse will handle it. There is something very special about these Inter Dominions, and I have no doubt Auckland will be our biggest challenge yet," he said. It had been Brian Hancock's Inter Dominion, with his horse not only winning back-to-back championships, but Our Sir Vancelot NZ had now successfully defended its Grand Circuit title with a record 29 points -- its nearest rival Sovereign Hill NZ back on 11 points. After 11 of the 12 Grand Circuit races on Australian soil had been decided, the NSW horseman had established the incredible record of having finished first or second in every one of them as a trainer or driver, other than the Fremantle Cup in which he did not compete. The Hobart series also proved a winning one for newcomer Justin Warwick. One year earlier no one on the eastern seaboard would have heard of him. The star of his stable (Allwoods Chief) might have failed to reach the Grand Final, but having two other horses in the Grand Final was a rare feat. "I didn't make any secret of the fact my only hope of beating Our Sir Vancelot NZ was to give him the front and then try to run him down in the home-straight. At 200 metres out I started seeing dollar signs when I thought we were going to do it. But Brian Hancock just kicked his horse along and spaced me. The winner is a standout. If you can beat the rest home, then you can basically feel you are a winner," he said. Warwick had come into this series very much the rookie, and would return home to Perth with the respect of his fellow trainers and drivers. Gavin Lang confirmed his horse Ataturk had been unlucky not to have finished in the placings. "I thought I did the right thing easing off the fence to trail Quantum Lobell, but he just couldn't go at all. If I had stayed and poked along the rails, I probably would have finished third, or even second," he added. Adam Hamilton of the Melbourne Herald Sun, later claimed the best drive in the race was that of Dennis Wilson taking every short-cut with Late Bid NZ to finish third, and the worst drive was that of Tony Herlihy who he claimed had conceded any chance Anvil Vance NZ had by allowing Our Sir Vancelot NZ to race by him when circling the field. With eight of the 10 Grand Finalists having been listed as Kiwi-breds was only partly correct in the case of the winner. A cursory glance at such statistics does not show it, but a detailed look at the background of all starters did reveal how the little State of Tasmania years ago was indeed a wonderful source of pacing blood. For instance, both Our Sir Vancelot NZ and Quantum Lobell's grand-dam had been sired by the Tasmanian-bred Van Ayr. Anvil Vance NZ's third dam (Nell Air) was by Ricochet, a son of Tasmanian-bred and Inter Dominion Champion Logan Derby. Late Bid NZ traces to a mare by Gowan Globe, a son of Tasmanian-bred Springfield Globe (winner of an Inter Dominion held at Launceston in 1939/40.) Bradshaw NZ's third dam was by a son of Springfield Globe, and Sam Malone NZ traced to a daughter of a son of this same sire. Those days when Tasmania was a great source for pacing blood have long since gone. |
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