Dashman's harness look ahead - July 11

Look ahead to this weekend's harness racing action in our weekly preview, thanks to Darren Clayton.

With night one now in the rearview mirror, some stars faded and some burst on to the landscape with dazzling displays.

On night two this Saturday evening, that is where dreams will be made or lost.

An outstanding support card compliments five Inter Dominion heats, with The Protostar, Kevin Thomas 4YO, the Fleur De Lil and JC McMullen all full of class performers. 

GET ON

Race seven - number 13 on Saturday evening.

The Janitor was enormous in defeat last week in The Rising Sun.

The Chantal Turpin-trained four-year-old did all the work and still went within a neck of victory. 

This looks ripe for the picking. 

PACERS ID HEATS

Sure Thing Captain opens deep into the red for the fourth heat and he will run from the same barrier as last week when scoring an emphatic victory in the opening heat of the series.

The Shannon Price-trained five-year-old dictated in front and the map looks to favour the gelding repeating that pattern again this week.

Like many in the field, Sure Thing Captain has limited exposure at the distance, with his only attempt at the 2680 metre trip coming in 2023.

Veteran pacer Max Delight will need to be at his best to qualify for the Final after coming up with barrier 12.

Wisper A Secret will also need to score big points to progress after landing gate 11.

Heat five will host the most anticipated clash of the series prior to the Final as Don Hugo and Leap To Fame do battle.

The barrier draw set the race up for an intriguing contest with Don Hugo to run from gate one and Leap To Fame again drawing gate eight.

Outside of the big two, Catch A Wave was the most impressive performer from night one. 

The Andy Gath-trained gelding can progress through to the Final if he is able to replicate last week’s performance.

The last heat of the series will give several horses an opportunity to earn big points and potentially squeeze into the $1 million Final.

Captains Knock will need to overcome gate seven if he is to make successive ID Finals, while Speak The Truth gains the barrier advantage to redeem a flat run in the first round.

TROTTERS ID HEATS

Heat three looks the stronger of this week’s heats.

The Kiwi-trained Bet N Win secures the barrier advantage over his rivals and will be aiming to progress as a double heat winner.

Not As Promised will need to be at his best to overcome a second line gate.

Golden Sunset has drawn wide in gate six but does boast good speed off the arm and should be able to work forward to find position.

London To A Brick is in danger of missing the Final.

From gate seven, James Rattray will need to produce some magic with the two-time Albion Park Group 1-winner.

The fourth heat features Oscar Bonavena who has drawn in gate one.

Potential series favourite, Arcee Phoenix, is drawn to follow Oscar Bonavena at the start.

The start will be all-important for Oscar Bonavena.

Oscar Bonavena is a trotter that has previously had some troubles with the mobile start, particularly when starting from the inside gate.

Parisian Artiste and Constantinople both produced eye-catching runs last week and will start beside each other from gates four and five, respectively.

STARS ON THE HORIZON

In just the second year, the Protostar has again drawn together an imposing field. 

It looks set to once again be the two-year-old race of the year in Australia.

After winning the first edition of the race last year, Grant Dixon is in a strong position to repeat the 2025 success, preparing both Fire And Passion and Fight For Victory.

Emma Stewart returns for another tilt at the rich feature.

Stewart has three runners all with differing fortunes.

The Dixon stable will be represented by last week’s Wayne Wilson Paleface Adios Memorial Classic-winner Fire And Passion.

Fire And Passion will start from barrier two and the last start QBRED Breeders Classic-winner Fight For Victory draws inside the second line. 

The Brad Hewitt-trained and driven Rewatch will start with gate five which makes his task tougher after his past two starts have been inconclusive.

Stewart has strong representation in the race.

Stewart produces three of the 10 runners who have all arrived via air from their Victorian base during the week and each appear to be well credentialed. 

Cardigan Dan holds the slot for the Ballarat and Durham Park syndicate following his victory in the Rising Star race and has drawn ideally in gate one with Kate Garth booked for the drive. 

Loucasso takes the Tonkin and Stewart slot but will need to be at his best to overcome the outside front line, after finishing second to Cardigan Dan in the Ballarat feature.

Dynamitedan takes his place in the field for the Warren Viney slot.

Dynamitedan will jump from barrier 10, with Cam Hart booked to take the reins, with Luke McCarthy committed to Soho Park Avenue.