Reigning Great Southern Star champion Keystone Del is well-positioned to defend his harness racing title at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.
Back to his best following some minor setbacks, the Nicole Molander-trained trotter has drawn to lead throughout the opening heat.
In what should prove little more than a training exercise for the son of Dr Ronerail, the gelding will begin from barrier three.
Along with having an extra half-hour rest before the Final than those in the second heat, on paper Keystone Del’s qualifier also appears to be the weaker of the two.
The extra rest and likely softer run make Keystone Del the one to beat in the series yet again.
New Zealand raider Stent, which beat Keystone Del in the Grand Prix a fortnight ago, faces a tougher task in the second heat.
The Colin De Filippi-trained squaregaiter will come out of barrier six, with handy types such as My High Expectations, Spidergirl and Neville Vaughan among those drawn on his inside.
Unbeaten from three Aussie starts this campaign, Stent will need to be at his top against a solid assembly.
Stent and Keystone Del dominated last season’s heats before the latter claimed the Group One decider in which the Kiwi visitor was runner-up.
Although still in its infancy, the Great Southern Star has quickly developed into the nation’s premier trot, with the $300,000 Final scheduled for 10pm
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PAUL COURTS