Jayne Davies knows better than most what it takes to win a Vicbred Super Series final for the three-year-old fillies.
The Clyde-based trainer prepared Nemeeshar to win the 2004 final and was a key part of the team when her partner, Noel Alexander, won the Group 1 with Concorde Lombo in 1998.
Davies will chase another Vicbred title this Friday night when Miss Trickin Lombo contests the $100,000 decider at Melton’s Tabcorp Park.
The daughter of Blissfull Hall isn’t yet ranked alongside the champion fillies Davies and Alexander have worked with, but she gets the chance to enhance her standing this weekend.
“We’ve been lucky to have had some nice fillies over the years and this one’s come a long way this season,” Davies said.
“As a two-year-old she was a bit ordinary, she just didn’t have the strength, but she’s taken the step now and once she has a spell she’ll come back an even better mare.”
After just one win from 12 starts as a juvenile, Miss Trickin Lombo has been a model of consistency at three.
Twenty starts this season have produced six wins and nine minor placings, her most recent outing being in last week’s Vicbred semi when she settled just off the speed before dropping on her rivals in the straight for a dominant win.
Her 1:58 mile rate for the 2240 metres, which is also the distance of the final, was substantially quicker than the 2:00.6 Rocknrolla went to win the other semi.
Miss Trickin Lombo’s chances in the Mazzetti Painting-sponsored final were only enhanced at Tuesday’s barrier draw when she drew nicely in four while Rocknrolla drew wide on the second line in gate 12.
That prompted Harness Racing Victoria price assessor Bill Hutchison to mark her a $3.20 chance. Defending Vicbred champion Rocknrolla heads the market at $2.80.
“She’s pretty versatile. She can do it tough, but she’s also got a very good sprint on her,” David said.
“She’s as good as she can be and the draw’s good, so I’m just hoping she can make the most of it.”
Damian Wilson retains the drive on Miss Trickin Lombo with Chris Alford, the man who partnered Concorde Lombo and Nemeeshar to their Vicbred wins, still suspended.
