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Sleepee in front with Queen Elida on her outside and Im Ready Jet tucked in behind her.
For Sleepee’s reinsman Josh Duggan this would be an ideal scenario in the Group 1 $75,000 Aldebaran Park Sumthingaboutmaori Trotters Free For All (2760m) at Melton on Saturday night.
“This would be give us an opportunity to control the race,” Duggan says.
Sleepee has drawn three, with Im Ready Jet in two and Queen Elida out wider in six, so it is possible.
However, Duggan knows that is easier said than done when racing in a field which has brought together the best trotting mares in the land.
One thing Duggan is completely confident about though is that the Allison Alford-trained Sleepee has the ability, the attributes and importantly the form to add another Group 1 victory to her already impressive race record.
Nothing would give him a bigger thrill.
He has developed a special association with the seven-year-old, especially since Sleepee returned from an extended injury-enforced lay-off late last year.
With Alford’s husband and champion driver Chris taking the reins on Queen Elida, Duggan has driven Sleepee in all but two of her starts this preparation.
This has included an Inter Dominion Trotting Championship campaign, which featured thirds in two heats and the final, three placings in group company including a second in the Group 1 Maori Mile and a win in the Group 2 Breed For Speed Gold final.
“I’ve been lucky to get the opportunity,” Duggan said.
“As she’s shown, she’s competitive in whatever she races in.”
Duggan says Sleepee’s gate speed is one of her biggest assets.
“She’s a natural gate runner,” he said.
“She’s so well gaited. It allows her to put herself in races.
“That makes my job easier.”
Sleepee is one three runners in the Sumthingaboutmaori FFA in the running to take out the Kerryn Manning Trotting Mares Triple Crown.
She leads the series from Queen Elida after two legs. Fourth-placed Electroject is the other starter close enough to claim the crown.
Queen Elida, a last-start winner in the Group 3 La Coocaracha, is favourite for Saturday night’s clash ahead of Im Ready Jet, who has finished second or third in her latest four starts, including the Group 1 Australian Trotting Grand Prix and NSW Hammerhead Mile.
TUNE IN at MELTON on Saturday
First Race: 6.32pm Last Race: 10.52pm
Racecaller: Dan Mielicki with Ryan Phelan, Shannon O'Sullivan and Steve Cleave on TrotsVision.
TrotsVision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: LISTEN LIVE
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE
Winner of the Week
COMPETE, by Sweet Lou out of Celebrity Guest, a winner at Charlton on March 19.
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