by PAUL COURTS
IN WHAT shapes as an enthralling encounter, boom youngsters Lumineer and Sicario will clash at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.
The unbeaten freshmen will meet in the $322,000 Ladbrokes Australian Pacing Gold Final, which promises to be a gripping contest.
Lumineer has been ultra-impressive winning his four starts, while Sicario has been too good for his opposition from three outings.
Prepared by Victorian horsewoman Ange McDowall, Lumineer has drawn barrier six, but slots into five with the removal of the emergency.
The son of Sportswriter made a huge statement in his semi-final at the same venue during the weekend, winning by 13 metres in 1:52.5 over the mile.
Sicario, co-trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, has gate nine, but also moves in a position once the emergency is taken out of the equation.
Driven by Purdon in his semi, the son of Somebeachsomewhere stopped the clock in 1:54.3 when accounting for Higherthananeagle and Stefbest.
Ironically, the placegetters are related to former Purdon/Rasmussen stablemates Fly Like An Eagle and Follow The Stars.
Follow The Stars captured the 2014 APG Final at Melton, while Fly Like An Eagle was unplaced in the 2011 edition, but annexed four Group Ones before being retired to stud.
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