Grant Coelli hopes an inside draw can help Man Hands return to the winner's list at Riverina Paceway

Man Hands has come up with the coveted gate one for the first time in more than 16 months at Wagga.

The use of Bailey Duck's claim helped secure the inside draw in the Petstock Lavington NR 100 Pace (1740m).

The Coelli camp are pleased to see her with a better draw after some tough assignments in recent times.

"She finally got a draw, and we had to put a claimer on to get it," owner Grant Coelli said.

"She's going super. I normally don't like to race her week to week but we went back last week and she pulled up pretty good, rather than racing in the chair like she normally does. I was going to give her a couple of days to see how she pulled up and she pulled up great so I thought we'd go around again."

With speed drawn outside her in the likes of Kamwood Izzy and Blaster Ranger, Coelli has no intention of seeing Man Hands hand up.

"We'll be leading up. It will take something pretty drastic to get across her," he said.

"Hopefully she can go to the front and keep running."

If Man Hands lead, there is every chance that the talented Rubies For Tash will camp on her back. It is a situation Coelli is well aware of as Man Hands looks to achieve a career-first.

"We've never beaten (Rubies For Tash)," he said.

"She's a really good little mare and we've never managed to beat her home. My mare is probably a bit tougher but she always seems to get her with that short sprint."

It is with that in mind that Coelli believes Rubies For Tash is one of Man Hands' main dangers.

"It really depends on the tempo of the race," he said.

"I can't see Rusty Crackers sitting outside us and beating us. If it becomes a short sharp sprint then Rubies For Tash is probably the one but we'll look to make it a test."

It may be Man Hands last start in the Riverina for the short term with connections considering sending her to Queensland for a winter campaign.

The Coelli stable will also be represented by Eippermill in the Albury Wodonga Kitchens 2YO Pace (1740m).

The filly has broke at her last two starts so Coelli is not setting his expectations too high on Friday.

"What a headache she's been," he said.

"She does everything right at home. We've put Jack (Painting) on this week just to try a different set of hands and he came over and drove her during the week.

"She's got a tricky draw but she's got gate speed. She's a wait and see job."

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