The Inter Dominion is now less than a week away and with all of the big names in the sport converging on Sydney, it is going to be an exciting week. With plenty of water still to flow under the bridge between now and the final, I thought I would pick my final field and see how close I can get. This is not where I think they will finish in the final but the ten horses that will line up.

Monkey King – Has had an ideal preparation. Competed in the big races late last year and was then taken home to prepare for the series. Didn't compete in the Hunter Cup and as a result will have fresh legs late in the series. Has already banked three Inter Dominion points after taking out three Grand Circuit events and they could be valuable should he struggle at Harold Park this week.

Smoken Up – On In The Gig on Sunday night I said he was under the odds and at $6 I think he is too short. That's not to say that he won't make the final and be one of the leading chances. It's hard to believe he started $50 on the tote in last year's final and even if he drew poorly at Menangle this year he will still be one of the favourites. I am concerned by the tough racing that he has had recently and he has been up for a very long time. Can he get around Harold Park? A poor draw on Friday night could be disastrous.

Washakie – Has really stepped up in the past month and despite all of his hard recent racing and travelling he is standing up very well. He hit the line full of running in the Hunter Cup after swinging the wrong way in the final and looks to have taken no harm from his trip to the West. Handles all types of tracks and with two points already up his sleeve he looks a certain starter for the final.

Karloo Mick – On paper he looks certain to qualify. His recent efforts have been good and he is versatile enough to score points should he draw poorly in his two heats. Barry Lew reported that his chiropractor has gone over Karloo Mick since arriving back in New South Wales and there will be an improvement as a result. Has been in a lot of battles this season but seems to relish the tough week to week racing.

Blacks A Fake – Can become just the second horse to qualify for five Inter Dominion finals and follow in the footsteps of the great Caduceus. Had a massive question mark over his career after disappointing in the Miracle Mile but has since returned to Queensland and proved that there is still life in the old boy. Has never set Harold Park or Menangle on fire which is a concern but it is hard to knock a three time Inter Dominion winner that has won more than three million dollars.

Changeover – We haven't seen much of him lately and Geoff Small has been taking him along slowly for this campaign. He has already won a group one race at Menangle. Seems remarkably short in the current markets and if things go pear–shaped in Sydney they always have the option of going home for the Auckland Cup. Should he perform at his best he should make the final.

Cincinnati Kid – On current form he seems a logical selection to make the final. Driven economically he has won his last two and as long as Mark Peace doesn't get over–aggressive I think he will make his way through to the final. Has raced at Menangle in the past and has performed well which is a plus and he does have a point already after winning the Ballarat Cup.

Tanabi Bromac – Is going to need some luck and good barrier draws to sneak through but has enough ability to perform should he make it through to this year's final. I picked him as a roughie on Sunday night on In The Gig and at $21 he is a horse that should he make the final and draw barrier one with Smoken Up in gate two could realistically be a $10 chance. Proved that he can't do too much work in this company in the Hunter Cup but I am still a fan of the horse.

Sammy Maguire – Looks a work in progress for the Lang stable and he may be a big improver in the next year. Has been nursed through to the top level and while some were disappointed with his last start effort, there isn't a better driver in the business when it comes to accumulating points than Gavin Lang. Would be another that needed the perfect draw in the final to be a place chance but can qualify should things go his way.
Our Awesome Armbro – I am going to give the kiwi problem child the final spot in this year's million dollar final. He has a mind of his own and obviously can do plenty wrong in the score up. Threw away his chances in the first round of heats last year but then impressed in the rest of the series. Trialled in Victoria last week to get back in the draw and on his best behaviour is good enough to start in the final.

So that means I have left some big names out including Mr Feelgood, Bondy and Be Good Johnny but you can't have them all. On his recent efforts in Western Australia some people think Our Malabar is a place chance should he make the final but it's been a big four or five months for the horse and I am happy to gamble on him missing.

Congratulations to Peter Lewis and Mitchell Reese on the win of Lady Euthenia in the NSW Oaks on Friday night. The filly deserved the win after doing a lot of work off the track and held off a numbers of challengers in the straight.

Can't wait for the Inter Dominion, it's going to be great. Catch you next week.