What a difference a win can make

WHAT a difference a win can make.

Among the despised outsiders at $41 during the opening round of Inter Dominion heats in Ballarat last Saturday night, Ofortuna caused an upset in the third trotters' qualifier.

Driven to perfection by Jodi Quinlan, Ofortuna scored by a half-head from Mufasa Metro, with Majestic Harry two-and-a-half metres away third.

Rating 2:00.3 over 2200 metres, the Craig Demmler-trained mare registered the quickest time of the heats.

"I still can't get over her run in Ballarat," Demmler said. "I'm just stoked.

"The best part of it is she has come through it a treat.

"In fact, she was carrying on the next morning and I had trouble catching her in the paddock."

Fast forward to tonight's second round in Shepparton and the daughter of Majestic Son is listed at $9.

With Quinlan to take the reins again, Ofortuna has drawn the outside of the front row over 1690 metres.

New Zealand raider, Bolt Of Brilliance, which was also triumphant on opening night, is the $1.50 favourite from barrier nine.

"There are a couple of scratchings inside her, so she comes into five, which makes the draw a bit better," Demmler said.

"Hopefully she will go just as well and figure in the finish again.

"Bolt Of Brilliance is clearly the one to beat and it'll take a good run from any of them to top him off."