Things get serious from the very first heat of the Perth Inter Dominion.
Barrier draws were always going to be important around the tight Gloucester Park track and Lazarus has copped a huge blow for Friday night.
Lazarus landed gate nine – outside the front row – while one of the other big guns of the series, the much-improved Soho Tribeca, drew to stroll to the front from gate two.
As amazing as it sounds, Lazarus may not even start favourite.
The Aussie TAB opened Soho Tribeca at $1.90 and Lazarus at $2.10.
Kiwis will find that hard to believe, but Soho Tribeca has been flying and the likelihood he find the lead over 2130m around Gloucester Park will see many Aussie punters line-up to back him to beat Lazarus.
Tassie visitor Devendra, who led and won two heats of the 2015 Perth Inter Dominion, has the speed to hold the front from the pole, but you’d expect connection would be happy to take a trail on Soho Tribeca on opening night.
He only other class factor is classy former Kiwi pacer Shandale, but he faces a big challenge from gate six.
The upside for Lazarus is it looks like he will be able to keep working forward and find the spot outside the leader without having to spend too much petrol.
But can he sit parked outside Soho Tribeca around Gloucester Park and beat him?
If he does, Lazarus’ odds for the final will be slashed. It would be a hell of a statement.
The other two heats will see raging hot favourites in 2015 Perth Inter Dominion winner Lennytheshark (heat two) and reigning WA and Fremantle Cup champ Chicago Bull (heat three).
Lennytheshark, sparkling in all three wins this season, is not only a class above his rivals, but also almost certain to ping straight to the lead from gate three. He opened a $1.20 favourite with the Aussie TAB.
Chicago Bull has a bit more opposition, but his gate speed and barrier two should see him pounce on the front, dictate and win. He, too, will dominate the betting.
The enigmatic All Stars’ pacer Have Faith In Me has gate five, while emerging Victorian San Carlo is out in barrier six.
Chicago Bull opened $1.40 on the Aussie TAB from Have Faith In Me ($5.50) and San Carlo at $11.
Adam Hamilton