They're coming from everywhere in search of Mercury80 glory

Attempting to identify a race pattern blueprint which will reveal this year’s All In One Property Mercury80 Final winner has punters on the confused side of the ledger.

Greg Sugars and La Puddie drew first blood after sitting parked before asserting their superiority down the long Melton straight in the first heat.

Glenn Douglas unleashed noted front-runner Ozzie Battler off the arm and the five-year-old celebrated his 100^th race start in fine style with an all-the-way win in the second heat.

Comeback pacer Love Ina Chevy became the story of the series when he defied the odds to sprint quickly and grab victory after settling three horses back along the pegs.

And then NSW speedster and Group campaigner Cash N Flow emerged as the headline act when he blasted off the mobile before outclassing his rivals in the final heat last Saturday night.

Top young reinsman Jack Callaghan’s pre-heat offering that ‘he can win this series’ aged well as the Belinda McCarthy-trained nine-year-old scored the most dominant win of the qualifiers.

Callaghan has enjoyed a dream start to his Victorian driving career, navigating his way to the winner’s stall with monotonous regularity courtesy of the deeds of the country’s boom pacer Spirit Of St Louis.

He notes a contrast between the driving skills required to succeed at headquarters in each state.

“At Menangle the start plays a key role in the outcome while there are more mid-race tactics involved at Melton,” Callaghan said.

Callaghan isn’t overly concerned having to negotiate the extreme draw in the Mercury80 Final.

“Cash N Flow is just as good with a sit,” he said.

“He could have gone a couple of seconds quicker in his heat win if I had asked him.”

Crowd favorite Love Ina Chevy will enjoy the services of champion reinswoman Kerryn Manning after Sugars opted to take the drive of La Puddie, who is trained by his wife Jess Tubbs.

“Kerryn has won on Chevy before so she knows him,” said trainer Lance Justice, who will drive stablemate Jean Luc.

Justice believes the race could be set up for a sit-sprint finale.

“The pace will be on early and they won’t really let up so I can see it suiting horses just off the speed like Love Ina Chevy or La Puddie,” he said.

Join Sky Racing’s harness team of Brittany Graham and Gareth Hall, alongside trots form expert Steve Cleave for live and extended coverage from Tabcorp Park Melton this Friday and Saturday night. Featuring interviews with the key players, detailed pre-race analysis along with all the colour and excitement of the Great Southern Star and A.G. Hunter Cup nights. Download the Sky Racing Active App from the App or Play Store today.

READ MORE:

> Your Great Southern Star runners chasing glory tonight

> Ready to go big as trotters step into international spotlight

> Brownless Rules again with talented squaregaiter

> Amazing plunge on Hunter Cup hope changes market

> Guerin: Hunter Cup night to reach new audience on Racing.com

> Lock in for the thrills of the Great Southern Star finals draw

> Burning Questions: Nathan joins the crew for SOG double-header

> Aiken aiming at elusive features with trio of stable stars

> The changing face of Victoria's brilliant Hunter Cup