2016 Inter Dominion heats come to Bunbury | photos

All aiming to qualify for the $1.1 million grand final at Gloucester Park in Perth in a fortnight’s time, heats four, five and six of the series excited the big crowd at Bunbury Trotting Club. 

In heat four, Run Oneover and Franco Nelson burnt the gate with early speed with Clinton Hall and Run One Over holding the front. 

The pair switched of through the second quarter but upped the pace in the third. By the final turn Run Oneover had the field run off its legs and took the win ahead of a fast-finishing Freyberg and Smolda. 

Bunbury Cup winner Our Jimmy Johnstone finished fourth. 

Heat five saw the series favourite Hectorjayjay behind the mobile barrier at the short price of $1.10. 

The hot pot did not disappoint, strolling to the front and casually holding off the field. 

Kicking strongly on the final bend, Josh Aiken drove Hectorjayjay to a 6.25 metre win over Our Jericho and outsider Ultimate Art. 

Last year’s champion Lennytheshark started as a hot favourite in heat six, but was restrained to the back of the field early as Ima Connoisseur rolled strongly to the front while John of Arc found the breeze.

Chris Alford stayed patient with Lennytheshark and looked to be in striking distance before the final bend. 

But entering the straight it was clear the champion was under pressure and could only battle on for fourth. 

Meanwhile, Bling It On got a split and grew wings to fly home – winning by 2.7 metre ahead of John of Arc and Waylade.

With a third and final night of heats on Friday, Hectorjayjay currently leads the field with 28 points while Run Oneover has 25 and Lennytheshark sits in third with 21 points.

In the other five races of the night, Kiara Davies drove a double, taking out race one with Captain Proud $4.70 and race four with Three Blind Mice $8.50.

Race two saw Stuart McDonald partner Master Jaxon ($1.60) to victory while Ryan Warwick and Delightful Offer ($1.80) won race seven and Justin Prentice won race eight with VC  Manoeuvre ($1.60).