Victoria Oaks heroine Broadways Best is one of the leading contenders for the Rising Stars Pace Final
Emerging Gisborne trainer Shannon McLean thinks that after two runs back from a six-month spell Broadways Best is ready to fire.
Last season’s Victorian 3YO Filly of the Year is one of the headline acts of tonight's richest race at Melton’s Tabcorp Park, the $25,000 Rising Stars Pace Final.
In her heat she started from outside the front row and worked hard to find the spot outside the leader before fighting on to hold second behind runaway winner, fellow Vicbred Super Series champion Villagem, in a 1:56.6 mile rate.
That followed a 1:56 first-up success at Tabcorp Park and confirmed to McLean that the Victoria Oaks heroine had come back better than ever.
“All of last season she was still just a baby,” McLean said. “She hasn’t grown a lot, but she’s really filled out and matured and I think she’s got a serious season ahead of her.
“Last week she was second-up after six months, did start from (barrier) seven, worked hard for six or 700 metres to find the death and they ran the last half in 55 seconds. She still beat the others by three metres, so I was very happy.”
Fuelling McLean’s confidence this weekend is a much more favourable barrier in the 2240-metre final restricted to M0-M1 performers, which will be run at 9.42pm.
The daughter of Village Jasper, who will again be driven by Chris Alford, will start from gate two with Villagem – who led easily from gate four last week – drawn awkwardly inside the second line (eight).
Heat winner Watchmefella (three), Dream Guest (one) and Deadsetlucky (seven) are the other top hopes off the front with New Zealand raider Flyin Interstate (12) the pick of the second line following his 1:56.4 heat win.
“The draw’s a big bonus,” McLean said. “She hasn’t had much luck with draws throughout her career, but two gives us the chance to maybe reverse the roles from last week when she was the one doing most of the work.”
Broadways Best will be joined at Tabcorp Park by the other star of McLean’s boutique stable, Broadway Play, who will take on Mendelico, Jazzam, Pacific Charm and company in the $20,000 Harness Breeders Vic Jodie’s Babe.
A close-up fifth behind Ohoka Nevada in last Friday night’s free-for-all, the seven-year-old has drawn gate four in the 1720-metre scamper.
“That’s a good draw for her and we’ll be looking to take advantage of that,” McLean said. “She races best when she’s up amongst it, so I’m sure she’ll make her presence felt.”
