Punters 'zero in' on opening heat

SATURDAY night's opening Inter Dominion pacers' heat has attracted the most attention from punters.

Fields for the time-honoured series were released yesterday, with TAB Fixed Odds immediately opening its market.

No sooner had the odds become available when a punter put his 'hard earned' on Expensive Ego.

Drawn the middle of the second row in the Ballarat-based qualifier, Expensive Ego opened at $6, which saw $5100 wagered on the Australian Pacing Gold purchase.

Expensive Ego was on the losing half of history during last season's Championship at Club Menangle.

Although first past the post, the Belinda McCarthy-trained stallion became the only winner to be stripped of victory via protest since the Inter Dominion was inaugurated in 1936!

Several bets, including one for $1900, have resulted in Expensive Ego's price dropping to $4.20.

Predicted to find the lead from barrier two, Mach Dan has been backed into $1.75 favouritism after opening at $2.

Elsewhere on the card, One Over All has been the subject of solid support in the third trotters' heat.

Son of 2009 Inter Dominion runner-up One Over Kenny, the gelding has tightened from $2.30 to $1.80 after drawing gate three.

“Without doubt the most popular of the Inter heats so far has been the first of the pacing qualifiers,” TAB’s Andrew Georgiou said.

“Punters have zeroed in on Mach Dan and Expensive Ego with the pair attracting big bets early doors and I would expect similar throughout the week in the lead-up to Saturday.”