Shannonsablast will launch from barrier six in Tuesday night’s second heat at Bunbury before returning to Gloucester Park at the end of the week where he recorded a first up podium finish on Friday night. 

The five-year-old bay gelding has put himself in contention to make the prestigious top 10 final in Western Australia next weekend and 

Elder thinks he can put in an even stronger performance.

“I was really happy with the run overall,” Elder said. 

“The way he performed and the way he got through it.

“It was his first run since Queensland [on October 24] and he can only improve on that.”

Starting from barrier three Shannonsablast finished one place behind favourite Waylade and 9.2 metres arrears of first heat winner Devendra.

Keinbah trainer Shane Tritton had Easy On The Eye come ninth in the same heat.

Tritton’s other charge Mach Beauty was 36m off the pace and seventh in the third heat, which was taken out by Philadelphia Man in the fastest mile rate of one minute and 53.8 seconds.

Last year’s Newcastle Mile winner and track record holder Avonnova was second and Lovers delight third.

The middle heat was won by Lennytheshark over Our Blackbird and Flaming Flutter.

Points are allocated for positions.

The group 1 series over 2130 metres continues on Tuesday and Shannonsablast has been pitted against both Easy On The Eye and Wylade again, as well as Lennytheshark and Avonnova.

The draw of gate six for Shannonsablast wasn’t ideal according to Elder but they were taking it in their stride.

“Obviously it’s not the best draw but you can’t change it and you have to live with it,” he said.

“We’ve got to step up again and keep trying to get as many points as we can.”

Easy On The Eye has picked up lane two in the same heat.

Mach Beauty will run the earlier heat from barrier three.

Both of Tritton’s runners will be driven by Amanda Turnbull again before No.1 choice Lauren Panella returns from suspension on Friday.

Recovery in the four-day turnaround between races will be important for horses and Elder afforded Shannonsablast a swim at a Perth beach on Saturday morning. 

“I never thought that I would be over here racing in an Inter Dominion,” he said.

“But then again I never thought I’d have a horse like Shannonsablast.”