Western Australia’s sole representative in the 2018 Inter Dominion Series Galactic Star is well placed to make Saturday week’s final, following his third placing in the second round of heats at Ballarat last night.
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained pacer sits third behind Cruz Bromac and Im Pats Delight in the rankings with one round of heats remaining at Cranbourne on Saturday night.
Galactic Star won the opening heat at Melton last Saturday and continued his good form in last night’s 1710m second round of heats.
The Bettors Delight gelding was posted wide in the early stages of last night’s heat, before he was able to settle in the running line in fourth spot.
Reinsman Todd McCarthy then got the gelding into clear room at the top of the straight and he was able to run on strongly into third spot.
Greg Bond said he was pleased to get another significant lot of points, which almost guaranteed him a spot in the final on December 15.
“We were very happy with the performance, given the bad gate,” he said.
“Nothing was coming from behind on the night, so we made the plan to follow Mach Doro out of the gate which we knew we may get posted three wide.
“Eventually he was able to get a trail and he found the line really well.”
Bond said he expected Galactic Star would only need to finish in the top eight of his heat on Saturday night to secure his spot in the final.
Galactic Star has again drawn on the outside of the second line on Saturday night in barrier 10 and Bond said the stable wouldn’t take the race lightly, despite the fact a spot in the final looks assured.
“The three main chances in Wrappers Delight, Spankem and Galactic Star are in eight, nine and 10 respectively,” he said.
“We go in trying to win every race and Saturday night will be no exception.
“He should finish in the top three or four depending on the run we get.”
Galactic Star is a $9.75 chance with TABtouch to take out the Inter Dominion.
Meanwhile, Bond said all of his four-year-olds were in good order following last Friday night’s Yes Loans 4YO Classic at Gloucester Park.
He indicated Bettor Aim, who was scratched from the Group 1 event, was on track to make a full recovery in time for Friday week’s Golden Nugget.
Image: Scott Hamilton Media