The 2011 Inter Dominion Trotting final is almost here and the reality of the task at hand is setting in for the connections of Let Me Thru in the $250,000 race.
The Victorian horse will have more than one genuine challenger which is a rare thing for an animal of his incredible talent.
While still favourite and a deserving one at that, he will have plenty to do from the second row with a bit of luck needed to secure a victory.
In his first run he put in a lot of wokr early but still had enough left to outstay the field including his rival toniht Sovereignty.
In his second race his performance was even better coming from last on the back strait to claim the race in the final 100m.
In addition to that there is his February win in the Australasian Trotting Championships so everything point to another Australian victory at the Inter Dominions tonight.
Still though, his trainer, a veteran of three straight Inter Dominion victories knows the depth of the field could prove problematic.
“A lot of people back home don’t realise how hard it is to win a big trot race over here,” Lang said.
“Back home, if we have four really good trotters in the same race it is a big deal. But this week, you have about seven or eight trotters in this race who probably only have about two lengths between them.
“So this horse might go a super race this week, be able to sit parked and beat Sovereignty or whoever is in front but get gunned down by Stylish Monarch, Raydon or Springbank Richard.
“That is the problem. When the fields are as even as they are over here any bad luck will be punished.”
Lang acknowledges that in all hsi previous wins he’s had plenty fo luck with the opportunity to lead from the front by the time they hit the first turn.
Tonight though it looks like Sovereignty will be in that position whihc could be veyr dangerous.
“In front is the place to be because if you are good enough from in front you will win.
“And that will make it really hard to beat Sovereignty, because he looks the leader. What we have to hope for is no bad luck, some good luck and a fair shot.”
If Let Me Thru can get an opportunity few doubt he’s good enough, but considering he could be as far as 15 lengths back at the firts turn the question is will he ever actually get into the race.
Springbank Richard is arguably the biggest chance of an upset after an unexpectedly good carnival while the 3200m record holder Stylish Monarch was more than solid in both lead up heats.
I Can Doosit as always is a chance if he can get it right on the night but consistent is certainly not a word you’d use to describe this horse.
He looked the winner in the final 100m last Friday but with just 50m to go he all but stopped dead.
Let Me Thru is a $2 favourite with online bookmaker Luxbet.