New South Wales-based gun Expensive Ego has drawn inside key rivals for his return mission at Tabcorp Park Melton this weekend.
Luke and Belinda McCarthy’s star finished down the track in his one and only trip to Victoria when well beaten into eighth during February’s DNR Logistics 4YO Bonanza, but is back and ready to make amends in Saturday night’s Group 1 Australian Pacing Gold 4YO Entires and Geldings Final.
The 2021 Chariots of Fire champion and Miracle Mile runner-up cruised through his APG heat at Menangle last week and has come up with barrier four – three if emergency Jawbreaker doesn’t gain a start – for the $210,000 feature.
He will take on some key Victorian-based rivals, but has the early advantage over local heat winners Pacifico Dream (Andy Gath) and Mach Dan (Emma Stewart), who have come up with barriers six and nine respectively.
Expensive Ego is the only horse from the NSW, QLD or WA qualifiers to make the trip across for the national final.
The Australian Pacing Gold 4YO Mares Final is a slightly different story, with three pacers from NSW tackling the $210,000 Group 1.
They include Anna Woodmansey-trained heat winner Pelosi, runner-up La La Bron (Aaron Goadsby) and fourth place-getter Michelle Lee Mac (team McDowell).
All seven starters from last Friday’s Melton heat are set to return for the final, with winner of that race Its Ebonynivory (John Yeomans) drawing on the back row in barrier nine.
Saturday night’s Melton meeting also features an Australian Pacing Gold 4YO Consolation at Group 2 level as well as the TAB Golden Reign Free For All, which has attracted a field of 10 runners including the exciting General Dodge (Mick Chircop).
The eight-year-old emerged from more than a year on the sidelines to take out the TAB Captain Sandy Free For All at Geelong on April 17, where he left a quality field in his wake with a breath-taking sprint lane success.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL TABCORP PARK MELTON FIELDS FOR SATURDAY NIGHT
* pictures courtesy Club Menangle
