This years version of harness racings holy grail, the Inter-Dominion went bush in Perth tonight when the second round of heats were held at Bunbury.
On the quick back up from Friday night, the second round of heats were over the mile and the field for the first of the heats really didn't have any of the big players from Friday nights action.
Only one of the ten runners had run first four on the first night and that was Our Blackbird but he had drawn poorly on the second line and was not fancied by the punters.
Mach Beauty from barrier three was the public elect but he had had a brutal run on the first night and questions remained about how he would perform on the quick backup.
As predicted Mach Beauty led easily early on for Amanda Turnbull and set a cracking pace in front.
Franco Ledger and Anthony Butt settled in the trail from barrier one while Major Crocker and Greg Sugars worked to the death seat from barrier six.
With the speed on up front there was no mid race moves and it took to the 400 metres mark before the runs began to come.
Turning for home Mach Beauty was starting to go up and down on the one spot and was quickly claimed by Major Crocker with Franco Ledger chasing him hard after clearing Mach Beauty.
Half way up the straight , My Hard Copy and Clinton Hall appeared wider out on the track from three back in the running line and went sailing on by for an impressive win.
Major Crocker fought on gamely for second in front of a slightly disappointing Franco Ledger who had his chance in third.
A very disappointing eighth on Friday night when expected to go very well, My Hard Copy got his series back on track tonight much to the relief of his driver Clint Hall.
" To be honest I am just very relieved to have won the race."
" To come from off the pace when they are running time like that is a big effort."
" I was never going to come out before the turn as he is best with one run at them."
"I couldn't be prouder of the horse and what he did tonight," Clint said.
The win by My Hard Copy was his twenty first career victory and took his earnings over the $500,000 mark.
What made the win even more impressive was the mile was cut out in a new track record of 1:51.6 with closing sectionals of 55.4 and 27.2
After tonights win, the son of American Ideal has to take the form he showed at Bunbury back to Gloucester Park on Friday night.
If he does that, he will become a legitimate grand final contender.
Harnesslink Media