The big day has almost arrived for trainer Emma Stewart and her Smythes Creek team.
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Restrepo will carry the hopes of the region in harness racing’s premier event – the Inter Dominion Grand Final (3009m) – at Menangle tomorrow afternoon.
But it’s not just the reigning Ballarat Pacing Cup champion that will chase success on the biggest day on the sport’s calendar in Australasia.
Restrepo is one of four Stewart runners engaged, joining talented filly Whereibylong, top colt Major Secret and star four-year-old Guaranteed at the meeting.
Whereibylong has drawn gate five for the NSW Oaks (2400m), where stablemate Bettors Package is the first emergency, Major Secret will start from barrier two in the NSW Derby (2400m) and Guaranteed from eight in the Chariots of Fire (1609m).
All races are group 1 contests.
But the race that Stewart will desperately want to win is the $750,000 Inter Dominion decider.
Restrepo qualified for the feature with a second-placing in the heats at Melton on February 15.
Here, Keayang Cullen charged home over the top of Stewart’s charge to win and set a new track record mile rate of 1.53.2.
Restrepo has drawn barrier 11 for the final, where he will be driven by regular reinsman Gavin Lang. .
Tomorrow’s Inter Dominion Grand Final is race seven on the bumper 10-race card, scheduled for 3.40pm.