HARNESS RACING
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KARLOO Mick continues his push towards another Inter Dominion campaign when he starts in the Australia Day Cup Group 3 feature at Menangle Saturday night.
With Robbie Morris in the gig, the 'Dubbo Destroyer' has been drawn in barrier four in the nine-horse field should see plenty of speed from the outset over 2300 metres.
In the early markets, the veteran gelding is on the fourth line of betting at $13 in a race that is hard to split between the McCarthy stable pair Excel Stride ($2.50) and Washakie ($2.60)
Luke McCarthy is down to drive Excel Stride and John McCarthy will be the pilot behind Washakie.
Karloo Mick is coming off an effortless last start win at Tamworth as the $1.20 favourite in a mile rate time of 1:57.7 with trainer Barry Lew then declaring the Inter Dominion was his main mission.
The five Inter Dominion qualifying heats will be decided on Saturday, February 16 heading into the grand final at Menangle on Sunday, March 3.
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AT PARKES Saturday night Lacy Shannon (Max Hughes) will drop a long way in grade when she contests the Parkes Leagues Club Pace (2040m).
Some very smart horses have won the recent races the mare has been contesting and she wasn't beaten that far in third and fourth placings respectfully.
Major Kiwi (Shane Hallcroft) should gain a good run in transit from barrier one and he has maintained good form since winning at Junee on December 1.
Last start he was only beaten by a head when second at Wagga Wagga and he is the one to beat.
Joannie Pony (Sam Hewitt) is one of the class runners with her past two placings at Bathurst being full of merit but she has to contend with barrier seven and will need luck. Canowindra pacer, Blue Chip Memories (Deehan Crook) will find the Col Fletcher Ford Pace (2040m) a lot easier than the races he has recently contested at Young and Bathurst.
But the Darryl Fliedner trained entire has held his own with placings at four of his past six starts.
Built For Trouble (Michael Munro) will be the hardest for Blue Chip Memories to beat as he ran two strong placings here at Parkes during the Summer Carnival.
Big Hat (David Harris) and Always Over (Braden Sullivan) both have sound claims and should be included in the exotics.
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KURRAVALE Olive (Trent Rue) has been most unlucky not to have won a race and she might break through in the Langlands Hanlon Pace (2040m).
She was runner-up at Parkes in December and at Bathurst last start behind Then We Dance.
Beticanfly (Shane Hallcroft) has finished third at Leeton and Junee in recent weeks and should figure prominently again while Woodsy James Lombo (Bernie Hewitt) had excellent form when last in work and would only have to be near fit to run a handy race.
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THERE'S a great clash in the final race on the program, the Parkes/Forbes Retravision 3YO Pace (1660m).
Bathurst fillies We Own The Night (Angela Hedges) and Major Joy (Bernie Hewitt) are both pretty classy and this should develop into a top race.
We Own The Night has drawn a little wide in barrier six but her form is very consistent and she has met some stiff opposition.
Major Joy ran second behind Tarelle at Bathurst on Boxing Night and then her run when sixth at Parkes behind Laaganoosh wasn't all that bad. Others that could figure in the finish include Poppy Cee (Mark Hewitt), Highly Excitable (Murray Sullivan) and Three Point Turn (Nathan Townsend).