CRUZ BROMAC HAS TOP SHOT AT ULTIMATE DOUBLE

Wow ! The late Bromac Lodge founder, Bob McArdle, might land the supreme breeding double with form pacer Cruz Bromac in next Friday's $500,000 IRT Auckland Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final.

Cruz Bromac, on the back on his career-defining moment winning last month's $750,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup, only has one horse seemingly to beat in Inter Final.

That's his 4YO stablemate Ultimate Sniper, who has brilliantly won his three heats but forecasters will be clearer with their opinions after the barrier draws come out after 12 noon on Sunday.

Both horses are in peak form, with Cruz Bromac, after strong seconds in the first two rounds, a decisive winner of his third round $30,000 Matamata Vet Services Inter Heat over 2700m in the hands of co-trainer Mark Purdon on Friday, December 6.

The Falcon Seelster-Crown Defender gelding led easily from the two barrier, then trailed stablemate Thefixer (Natalie Rasmussen) briefly with two laps to run (2000m) before taking the top again.

"He's got better with each round of heats," Purdon said of Cruz Bromac.

"He was just superb tonight. The speed backed off quite a bit after Thefixer took over from Cruz Bromac so I wanted to keep rolling on this guy."

"I knew they others would keep the pressure coming on if I didn't keep rolling with this guy."

Cruz Bromac had highly rated Australian visitor Bling It On for company at the 500m, but he soon shrugged off the Victoria Cup winner.

Thefixer tried to rally late along the sprint lane but Cruz Bromac was too good, holding by three-quarters of a length in 3:16.7, a strong mile rate of 1:57.2.

He showed his class over his last 800m in 54s and his final 400m in 26.7s.

Triple Eight and Sicario ran on but 5 and ¾ lengths away.

AG’s White Socks, who won heats on the first two nights, had to settle for fifth in “Cruz’s” third round heat, after settling back from a second-row draw, then running on wide over the final 800m.

The $1.50 favourite was camped out three-wide for the final lap after San Carlo wouldn't relent the parked position, but Rasmussen was content to save the Bettor's Delight entire for a home-stretch charge.

Rasmussen showed impeccable timing, asking Ultimate Sniper to lift late to grab the win by a head over stablemate, Chase Auckland (every chance from the trail) and Queensland visitor, Colt Forty Five, who tried to lead over the final lap.

Ultimate Sniper won by a head in 3:16.1, a mile rate of 1:56.8, the leaders running their last 800m in 54.8s and 400m in 27.6s.

The Pacing Grand Final qualifiers are: Ultimate Sniper, Cruz Bromac, A G’s White Socks, Chase Auckland, Thefixer, Mach Shard, Ashley Locaz, Sicario, San Carlo, Triple Eight, On The Cards, My Kiwi Mate. Emergency: Classie Brigade.