The only filly left in the MIA Breeders Plate has come up with the prized gate one for Friday’s $40,000 final.
For the second time in her two starts Jovial Rock has drawn the inside barrier as she attempts to take down the boys again in Leeton’s feature race.
She just did enough to run down The Defiant in Saturday’s heat and will once again have the advantage of the inside barrier draw in the group three feature.
Michael Azzopardi’s colt has drawn to start from gate four with the rest of the more fancied runners drawing the second row.
The other heat winners, Plumpton Hope (nine) and Hieland Laddie (10), will start outside of Redbank Blaze (eight), with Peter Manning’s Easter Jolt to come out of 11.
Reinsman Nathan Jack is searching for back to back wins in the prestigious feature, after winning with Bettermatch last season, and believes this year’s event is a much more open affair.
He will again take the drive on Jovial Rock for Leeton trainer Wayne Sullivan and was happy to draw the inside.
“It’s a very open Plate this year and I think they will run it pretty genuine so it might be a last man standing affair," Jack said.
“Especially with the way Ray (Walker on Plumpton Hope) drove his last week.
“If he drives it a bit the same it becomes an even bunch.”
Despite some of his main rivals not drawing as well, Jack is expecting plenty of fire up front.
“The rest have to get into the race somewhere along the line,” he said.
After winning by a short half head following a cozy trip, Jack rated Redbank Blaze and Plumpton Hope as his main dangers.
