Inside draw leaves Dunn with plenty to ponder in Cup

Aaron Dunn is hoping his talented four-year-old Little Louie can complete a clean sweep of both heat and final of the $50,000 Mildura Pacing Cup.

Sent out a $2.50 favorite in his heat, Little Louie was initially crossed from the pole by My Ultimate Billy, however Dunn was able to ease off the pegs and wrest the lead back from the $71 chance.

“I hesitated for a split second and nearly didn’t get off from behind My Ultimate, but managed to in the end,” Dunn said.

Little Louie has again secured the coveted inside alley courtesy of the National Rating barrier draw conditions of the race.

“There is a bit more speed off the front on Saturday night and I suppose there is a chance I might get crossed again, but I’ll make up my mind once we’re out there,” he said.

Dunn was happy with the heat win despite the half-neck margin to Earl Of Pembroke on the line.

“He probably knocked off a bit in the straight and I didn’t knock him around once he was going to win,” he said.

Dunn admits the longer distance of the 2600m final has him in two minds.

“He goes pretty well with a sit and you don’t want to cop a lot of pressure in front over that distance,” he said.

“And there is likely to be a bit of action during the race as there was in the other heat on Tuesday night.

“It’s going to be an intriguing race, there should be at least six horses who should be under 10/1.”

Abby Sanderson is likely to press forward on the other heat winner Dangerous, who withstood several mid-race challenges to lead all the way in the 2190m qualifier.

Comeback pacer Kowalski Analysis, along with Earl Of Pembroke and Serg Blanco, all performed well in their respective heats, but have to contend with second row barriers in the final.