Gifted chance to join select fraternity

POPULAR horseman Jack Trainor has been gifted an opportunity to join a very select fraternity of fortunate drivers this weekend.

Having watched the series from the sidelines, Trainor received a call-up from the bench to drive Nerano in Saturday night's Inter Dominion Pacers' Final at Albion Park.

Should he emerge triumphant, Trainor will become the fifth reinsman to capture the industry's 'Holy Grail' via a catch-drive and only the third to do so without contesting the qualifying rounds.

In 1969 Dick Webster partnered Richmond Lass during the Wayville heats, but chose to stick with Bylaw in the Final, paving the way for Kevin Brook to drive the mare to glory as Bylaw finished seventh.

Almost two decades later, John Binskin - who like Trainor never participated in the heats - answered the call from Bob Knight to take the reins behind Our Maestro in the 1988 Harold Park Final.

Our Maestro was driven in the heats by Knight's son, Vin, who elected to partner his 'mate' Bag Limit, which finished last.

Two years later Howard James was another who never took part in the heats before winning the Final with Thorate.

Brian Hancock drove Thorate throughout the qualifiers at Globe Derby, before selecting Weona Chief as his option in the Final - finishing third.

In 2021, Trainor was on the wrong side of the equation, but had no choice in the matter.

Trainor drove Boncel Benjamin and Balraj in the heats, but had to remain with the latter as he trained the gelding.

That opened the door for Joshua Gallagher to sit in the cart behind Boncel Benjamin to complete an historic victory.

Although second over the finish line, Boncel Benjamin was promoted to first after connections lodged a successful protest against Expensive Ego for interference during the latter stages.

It's the first time the winner has been decided in the stewards' room since the Inter Dominion's inception in 1936.

Trainor and Balraj finished seventh.

Gallagher had driven Burnham Boy in the heats, with the gelding failing to make the Final.

"I've certainly been handed a gift," Trainor said. "I had no plans of being there on the night, now I'll be in the thick of the action.

"He is one horse in series which has had perfect runs all the way through, whereas Leap To Fame and Swayzee have had a couple of hard ones, which should benefit him in the Final."

Rated as the 'find' of the Championship, Nerano is among the main chances in the $530,000 Group One on the strength of his heat performances and draw.

Runner-up during the first round, the Jason Grimson-trained son of Tintin In America won his two subsequent qualifiers.

On top of his scintillating form, Nerano is drawn to gain a "gun run" from the pole, with TAB Fixed Odds listing him on the third line of betting at $5.50.

"You can't complain with that...he's got a good draw," Trainor said. "He's going to do no work and hopefully be thereabouts in the early stages.

"It is still going to be hard to get past Leap To Fame and Swayzee, but he will definitely be the beneficiary if they go to war."

Unable to split half-brothers Leap To Fame and Swayzee as the one to beat, Trainor believes the winner could be decided soon after the start.

Also prepared by Grimson, Swayzee has drawn barrier three, with Leap To Fame to come from gate six for Grant Dixon.

Swayzee is the $2.20 TAB Fixed Odds favourite, with Leap To Fame sitting at $2.40.

"On paper I think it's first to the pegs," Trainor said. "Whichever finds the markers is the one to beat for sure."