Grant Dixon is counting his lucky stars.
The leading horseman heads to Albion Park on Saturday night with a number of chances in the QBRED Triad Finals and their tasks have been made a little easier after landing perfect draws.
Classy three-year-olds Get In The Groove and Frankie Rocks have both drawn the coveted inside gates in their respective Gr.1 $100,000 features and now looms as the pacers to beat.
As an added bonus, stablemates Cherish The Moment and Leos Best have also landed front-line draws.
“It was a big relief to get some good draws because these finals are quite even, I don’t believe there is any standout in any division and the barriers were always going to play a major role in the outcomes of these races. We now have to make the most of them, that’s the challenge.” Dixon said.
Dixon will partner both Get In The Groove and Frankie Rocks and the plan is simple for both pacers.
He wants to lead and win.
“Getting the good draws really takes all the guesswork out of the race and my plan is to lead and hopefully go all the way with both, sounds easy enough but I’m sure it won’t be good as it sounds because things can change dramatically in these big races.
“I think Get In The Groove will be hard to beat, her form has been pretty sound all season long while some bad luck has cost her at times but from this inside draw, she’ll race really well. Her efforts in Sydney were strong before returning home and being wiped out in the Breeders Classic Final last month but her trial recently was good.
“Frankie has been a little indifferent at times this season but this is his chance to land a big race victory and the draw is crucial. He’s got gate speed and he likes to lead so he’ll take some beating but horses like Leos Best and Catcha Lefty are very good. His best form is generally at the shorter distance but he’s proven at this distance so I’m hopeful he can take this out.
“I’m happy with all of the team going into these finals, Cherish The Moment and Reds Jet Star can both win if luck goes their way while Leos Best continues to race in excellent form this season. Earl Jujon will probably need some luck owing to the draw but his form is good.”
The stable is also strongly represented in the Gr.2 $50,000 QBRED Triad 4yo Finals but face stiff opposition in both divisions.
And the draws haven’t been as kind.
In the mares final, Dixon will send out Lively Luna, Remember Ruby and Feel The Faith while in the Entires and Geldings final the stable is represented by Duke Jujon.
Dixon was forced to scratch Belle Jujon from the mares final.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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