A TOUGH draw is set to make the bid to keep Expensive Ego’s perfect record intact difficult at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Undefeated from four starts, Expensive Ego is poised to contest the Australian Pacing Gold Brisbane Sale Final for trainer David Thorn.
To Thorn’s dismay, the two-year-old will begin from the outside of the second row.
Expensive Ego’s barrier is somewhat self-inflicted after steward’s issued the son of Rock N Roll Heaven with an ‘ODM’ status during his recent Group One Qbred Triad Final victory.
“His draw is not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world,” Thorn said. “The inside second or outside the front row would have been worse.
“That said it has certainly made life harder for him.
“He was made ODM two starts back when he won the Qbred Final, so he was always going to be drawn somewhere like that.
“You never know, it may work out to be a blessing in disguise.”
To be driven by Jim Douglass, Expensive Ego earned his berth in the $100,550 decider by outstaying his rivals in one of last week’s heats.
Settled in the ‘death seat’ from the outside of the front line, Expensive Ego powered his way to a metre-and-a-half win from Our Balou, with Targaryen Hanover 10 metres away third.
“He put in another good run in his heat,” Thorn said. “The hit out as done him good and he will be a lot sharper this week.
“I will give him his last workout tomorrow, but he is feeling bright and ready to roll.”
Regarding Our Balou as a major threat, Thorn is also weary of fellow New South Wales raider Toanui Spirit.
One of five Grant Dixon-trained runners in the field, Our Balou will come from barrier six.
Prepared by KerryAnn Morris and to be driven by her husband, Robbie, Toanui Spirit has drawn gate two.
The filly was too slick in her qualifier when leading throughout from the pole.
“Our Balou is the one to beat,” Thorn said. “He did well in the heat and has been consistent.
“The draw brings Toanui Spirit right into it, and on her heat run, she will take some running down.
“We are likely to follow through at the start, but it depends on how the race unfolds…I’ll leave it up to Jimmy.”
APG Media