The Kiwis were the big winners from the Breeders Crown finals barrier draws.
Leading the charge are Bettor Twist and Lifes A Beach in the stellar 3YO Pacing Fillies’ final at Melton on Saturday night.
Bettor Twist grabbed favouritism from gate four, while Lifes A Beach with Josh Dickie aboard has emerged as a winning hope from barrier one.
Dickie has only just re-located to Australia, and is based in Victoria near Melton.
Further enhancing their good draws is the fact three of Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin’s big guns – Ladies In Red (12), Joanna (13) and Tough Tilly (eight) – drew the back row.
Only the much-improved and probable leader Beach Music drew the front row (gate two), again posing the question when driver David Moran will hop off Ladies In Red to drive Beach Music.
Bettor Twist’s driver Anthony Butt was thrilled with the draw.
“She’s drawn to be in control of her own destiny,” he said. “I really didn’t want one or eight where I could be held-up, so four is good.
“I don’t think we’ll find the lead, but we’ll certainly be making it a staying test.
“I think she’s good enough to sit parked if she has to and still go very close to winning. She’s so tough.”
Butt was also pleased with gate four aboard American Dealer in the 3YO Pacing Colts and Geldings’ final.
“It’s good. He’s not really quick enough out to use an even better draw, so it puts him right in the mix early,” he said.
“That’s the best he’s felt in Victoria last week. He’s getting back to his best at the right time, but like the fillies’ final, this is a strong race and he’ll need plenty of luck.”
Stewart and Tonkin had mixed luck in the draws with their three big guns, the big winner being Victoria Derby winner Act Now from gate five. He will more than likely work his way to the front.
Major Moth (gate 11) and Beyond Delight (10) are good enough to still be key players even from back row draws, especially if there is some early heat in the final.
Andy Gath’s emerging Yambukian, who did a power of work from a wide draw when fourth in his semi, is right in the mix from barrier one. He’s got the gate speed to possibly lead or at least trail Act Now.
One Kiwi who didn’t draw so well was Amore Vita, who landed gate 12 in the 2YO Pacing Fillies’ final.
She’s still a hope in a wide-open final with Petillante (gate 11) also off the back row, while impressive semi-final winner Sounds Perfect is favourie from gate four.
Also of interest to Kiwis, former Kiwi Mufasa Metro’s bad manners in his heat mean he will start from outside the back row (gate 13) in the 3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings’ final.
The race has been opened-up with Brent Lilley’s NSW and Victoria Derby winner Kyvalley Hotspur off the back row (gate 12).
Lilley’s former Kiwi filly Queen Elida looks the one to beat in the 3YO Trotting Fillies’ final from gate six where driver Chris Alford will have a crack for the lead.
Josh Dickie and Sammy Kilgour’s High On Love looks a place hope from a wide draw (gate six) in the 2YO Trotting Fillies’ final where Tough Monarch’s baby sister, Tough Love, is clear top pick for Rickie Alchin from gate two.
