From $41 outsider to Inter Final favourite
A FAVOURABLE draw has resulted in Act Now tightening in betting markets.
Successful during the opening round in Ballarat, Act Now was an eye-catching third in Shepparton last Tuesday night before smashing the Geelong track record during the weekend.
Rating 1:54.9 over 2570 metres, the Emma Stewart-trained entire slashed 1.6 seconds from Phoenix Prince's mark established in November 2019.
Act Now's latest performamce saw TAB Fixed Odds firm the four-year-old to an equal $5 favourite on pre-draw markets.
With the barrier for Saturday night's Final at Tabcorp Park Melton completed just moments ago, Act Now has become the top elect.
A $41 shot before the series began, Act Now is listed as the $2.20 favourite after drawing to search for the lead from barrier three.
Act Now's stablemate, Honolua Bay, is the only other runner under double figures at $2.75 from gate two.
New South Wales raider Expensive Ego is considered the main danger to the pair at $11 from barrier six.
Driver Jodi Quinlan immediately issued a warning Act Now will be pushed forward in a bid for the front.
"He will come out hard," Quinlan said. "It's not the 'be all and end all' for him to lead, but if he does get to the front, he will be hard to run down."
PACERS' INTER DOMINION BARRIER DRAW and TAB FIXED ODDS
- I Cast No Shadow - $17
- Honolua Bay - $2.72
- Act Now - $2.20
- Spirit Of St Louis - $12
- Beyond Delight - $34
- Expensive Ego - $11
- Bundoran - $71
- Torrid Saint (emerg) - $71
- Narutac Prince - $17
- Zeuss Bromac - $31
- Mach Dan - $13
- Pete Said So - $101
- Better Eclipse - $17
