Bruce Harpley believes he's finally got Mach's Legacy spot on heading into the group three NSW Breeders Challenge Regional finals.
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The two-year-old filly has finished runner up in five of her 10 starts this season but coming off two straight wins, including setting a fast time in her heat last week, the Junee trainer-driver is hoping she can keep delivering.
He has put down the improvement to a trip to the dentist.
"With her teeth 100 per cent her eating has improved, there's been no more galloping and no more snotty nose," Harpley said.
"All the things have aligned and now she's really starting to impress me."
Harpley qualified three horses for the $30,000 finals at Riverina Paceway on Friday and while he still rates Mach's Legacy as his best chance she has to contend with the tricky inside of the second row draw.
"I've been impressed with the two-year-old filly, there are no two ways about that but of course she's got the worst draw of the lot of them," he said.
"She is definitely improving all the time and mentally and physically she is the best since I've had her.
"We'll need some luck from there but she is my number one pick."
Harpley also lines up Jacquelyn Anne in the three-year-old fillies final after she finished second in her heat.
She was only a half neck off Gee Gee Blinxs, and has drawn well in three, but added to a run of placings in the process.
"Jacquelyn Anne would have to be a bit of a show from the good draw," Harpley said.
"She will be there somewhere handy but I just wish she had that killer instinct.
"I just can't put that into her."
Harpley has drawn barrier one with Slick Blaster in a strong three-year-old colts and geldings feature.
He was impressed with how he finished off to run third in his heat last week, but is never too sure which horse is going to turn up.
"Slick Blaster went good in the heat but there are a few of him," Harpley said.
"There is the one that goes good, the one that is very ordinary and one that is despicable."
Harpley also has Harps returning to the track for the first time in over a year.
He hasn't raced since breaking a pastern in a Menangle Country Series final.
It is the second time he's needed surgery on his back legs.
Harps was drawn one in the Menangle Country Series on the card and has impressed leading into his return.
"Retirement was there but it didn't work out for him or me," Harpley said.
Courtney Rees
Courtney is a sports journalist from The Daily Advertiser focusing on Group Nine, Southern Inland, cricket, harness racing and greyhound racing.
Courtney is a sports journalist from The Daily Advertiser focusing on Group Nine, Southern Inland, cricket, harness racing and greyhound racing.
