Making the most of opportunity

ONE trainer is thrilled Harness Racing Victoria added a third Inter Dominion qualifier to the Trotters' Championship.

Originally scheduled to be a two-heat division, the squaregaiters' series was expanded by the governing body just nine days before the opening round in Ballarat last night.

Too low in the rankings and set to miss the two-heat version, Ofortuna only gained a berth thanks to the addition at number 28.

Making the most of her opportunity, the Craig Demmler-trained mare caused a huge upset to capture the third heat.

Driven by Jodi Quinlan, Ofortuna paid $41 on the Tote!

"I can't believe it," Demmler said. "I'm just stoked.

"To win an Inter Dominion heat is fantastic and even more so since she was set to miss the series.

"It seriously is a dream result to go from being outside the cut to winning on the first night."

After leading from four Ofortuna was eased to take a trail behind Nephew Of Sonoko before finishing along the sprint lane to score by a half-head from Mufasa Metro, with Majestic Harry two-and-a-half metres away third.

"One thing I will say about her is she tries," Demmler said. "Every time she steps on the track she gives it her all."

Rating 2:00.3 over 2200 metres, the daughter of Majestic Son registered the quickest time of the qualifiers, with Just Believe next in 2:01 for trainer Jess Tubbs and her reinsman-husband, Greg Sugars.

Leading throughout from gate six, Just Believe accounted for Queen Elida and Chinese Whispers.

Prepared by champion New Zealand horseman Tony Herlihy, Bolt For Brilliance rated 2:01.2 as Sundons Courage and Majestuoso filled the placings.