TASMANIAN pacer Devendra will have to reproduce the effort that gave him victory in the final heat of the Perth Inter Dominion series if he is to win the $1.3 million final at Gloucester Park (WA) next Sunday.
At the official Inter Dominion final barrier draw function at the Perth Convention Centre yesterday the James Rattray-trained gelding drew barrier eight, which is one off the outside of the front row.
Rattray was philosophical about his horse’s draw.
“I would have preferred barrier one but we got eight and there’s nothing we can do about it,” Rattray said.
“He proved he can win coming from behind on Friday night so I guess that’s what he will have to do again.”
“The horse has done exceptionally well over here (WA) and if I can keep him where he is mentally right up to the final he will be very competitive.”
“I will vary his work this week but primarily he will be spending a bit of time down at the beach in the water because that has been great for him in between his heats.”
“He has done a brilliant job just getting into the final but now that we are in it of course we want to win and I am confident he is good enough to do it,” he said.
The favourite Lennytheshark drew favourably in gate three with the second elect Philadelphia Man drawn alongside in gate four.
Corporate bookmakers acted swiftly by shortening Lennytheshark’s price from $2.20 into $1.95 while all others drifted with Philadelphia Man out to $6.50 and Devendra’s price almost doubled from $4.20 to $8.
Devendra won the last heat of the series at Gloucester Park last Friday night from barrier nine coming from last on the home turn to win in the last few strides.