Front row draws for Kiwis in Albion Park Group 1s

The Kiwis were smiling after the barrier draws for the two Group 1 features at Brisbane's Albion Park on Saturday night.

Regan Todd snared gate six with his brilliant four-year-old pacer Marketplace in the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun, while Tom Bagrie’s first Aussie raider, four-year-old trotting mare Dash Dosh, will start from barrier four in the $150,000 Group 1 Great Square.

Considering both features were preferential draws, the pair fared well.

Todd was circumspect on what tactics drive Luke McCarthy might employ from the wide draw with so much speed – headed by the likes of big guns Captains Mistress (three) and Final Deadline (four) drawn inside him.

“Final Deadline is super fast out, so we’ll just have to see what happens in the first 50m.” he said.

“He can do it both ways, on the speed or from off the pace, he is just as good following a helmet.”

Todd said Marketplace has done well since his easy win in last Saturday night’s Wondais Mate at his first try around Albion Park.

“The best part was how it showed he’d thrived since that first-up hard run at Menangle,” he said.

Asked about the golden ticket option of going on the $1 million Inter Dominion final if successful in the Rising Sun, Todd again sat on the fence: “Saturday is the Grand Final and we will see about anything else after that.”

Marketplace eased from $3.50 to $5.50 after the draw with Captains Mistress a commanding $1.60 favourite.

The three-year-old pair Hollywood Strip (gate two) and Zeus Lightning (one) are next courtesy of their gun draws at $5 and $8 respectively.

Former Kiwi Final Deadline, who many think could cross Captains Mistress at the start and lead, firmed from $12 to $10.

Bagrie said he was delighted how well Dash Dosh has settled in her week or so since making the trip across from NZ.

“She’s settled so well for her first big trip away and her work has been good,” he said.

“She has had a bit of an interrupted preparation at home, but felt like she was back to her best in that latest (Addington) win.

“It’s certainly a strong race, but if she’s at her best, I’m sure she’ll be right there.”

The draw saw Dash Dosh firm from $5 to $4 and she could challenge last year’s Australian 3YO Trotter of the Year Mecarno for favouritism given he has to overcome the back row (gate 12).

Tracy The Jet, who Dash Dosh upset in last November’s NZ Trotting Oaks, is a $4 shot from gate five.

The other big watch is on Nathan Jack’s former Kiwi trotter Crackerjack, who won well at his only Aussie run at Melton. He has to overcome an outside back row draw (13), but is kept safe at $10.

BARRIER DRAWS

RISING SUN

Front row: Zeus Lightning, Hollywood Strip, Captains Mistress, Final Deadline, Double Lou, Marketplace, Hesitate

Second row: Fire And Power (emerg), Seasider, Cool And Classy, Fate Awaits, Fox Dan, Sinaloa

GREAT SQUARE

Front row: Raffie Jay, Superior Stride, Sassy Galleon, Dash Dosh, Tracy The Jet, Jilliby Dreamlover, Lotus Louise

Second row: Serena Love (emerg), Fredidrivsamercury, Your Majesty, I Am Hellbound, Mecarno, Cracker Jack