They're touting it as the $64,000 question - will Chris Lewis push forward at the start on speedy beginner Sarah Goody in search of the lead in the $100,000 Owners Only Westbred 3YO FIllies Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night?
If the State's leading reinsman can wrest the lead away from the three pacers drawn to his inside then Sarah Goody will be mighty hard to gun down and even if she doesn't lead, then the flashy Kevin Keys-trained Rich And Spoilt bay, almost black, filly could still prove the one to beat.
Sarah Goody is the best performed filly in the race with nine wins, six placings and more than $118,000 in prize money. And connections are hoping she can boost that tidy sum by $64,000 - the winner's cheque for Friday's feature - by scoring a perfect 10.
Keen harness racing fans know how quick Sarah Goody is out of the machine - and how many races she's won by dictating the pace in front - but Keys maintains she's just as good, if not better, coming from behind. "Sarah Goody has got a few strings to her bow," Keys said. "I actually think she's better from behind. That may sound strange, considering the number of races she's won when leading, but she has a great turn of foot and can sprint really fast when held up for one run. She's been up for a fair while now but she's doing well and she appreciates the little breaks I give her in between runs." Knowing the speed Sarah Goody shows from the machine, it would be surprising if Lewis doesn't "put the handlebars down" at the start and put her in a strong position in front.
The Justin Prentice-trained and driven Allamerican Queen has drawn the pole and has shown speed from the mobile before. Her three wins have all come after Prentice sent her to the front after she'd drawn inside alleys.
It's problematical whether Allamerican Queen has the speed to hold Sarah Goody at the start, but Prentice, who also has Betshesprecious (gate 10) and Somewhereonlyiknow (11) in the race, will certainly want to hold the back of the favourite if he's crossed at the start.
The prize money for the minor placings is quite generous - $16,000 for second and $7000 for third - and Prentice will be doing all he can to give his filly the best chance of earning.
Sarah Goody is definitely the horse to beat - her form over the past few months tells you that - and Allamerican Queen, Betshes Precious, Somewhereonlyiknow and Karen Elizabeth (gate 8), who is shooting for a hat-trick of wins, appear the best of the rest.
