Racing: Raglan looks set to make final

NZ Herald·

22 Feb, 2012 04:30 PM2 mins to read

I'm Themightyquinn will prove a tough nut for Raglan to crack. Photo / William Crabb

Kiwi pacer Raglan has been gifted a near certain spot in next week's Interdominion Final.

His place in the A$1 million event was almost sealed by his brave heat win in Monday night's heats but he took another step closer without even walking onto the track again.

Not only did Raglan draw a heat with just seven rivals for tomorrow night's last round of heats but one of them, Ohoka Du Nord, has been scratched, reducing the field to seven.

That means Raglan only has to beat home four, average-quality rivals to make the final.

He has been opened the $2.80 second favourite in Australia for the heat after drawing barrier five, with local hero I'm Themightyquinn all the rage at $1.28.

Auckland Reactor's unbeaten run in the series will be challenged by him drawing barrier seven on Friday against one of the surprise packages of the series in Crombie.

Crombie came from off the speed to win last Friday and then sat three wide before pushing Smoken Up close on Monday night.

He has drawn barrier two and driver Chris Lewis has indicated he will try for an all-the-way win, which means Auckland Reactor could need to do something special to beat him.

Punters definitely think so, with early betting with Australian bookmakers being for Crombie, who is now the favourite.

Lewis, a two-time Interdominion-winning driver, will also partner the heavily backed Dasher VC against Mr Feelgood in the third heat tomorrow night and again suggests he will try to lead all the way.

Dasher VC was luckless when checked on Monday and the veteran driver, winner of over 4200 races, doesn't want to risk that again.

"He led and was only just caught by I'm Themightyquinn in the WA Cup so I am going to try and stay in front of Mr Feelgood this week. I think we can do that and be very hard to beat."