Maryborough trainer Joe Borg is hoping Deadly Vane has a little bit of luck in the early stages of Saturday night's Group 1 AJS Corporation Silver Chief Final (525m) at The Meadows.
Deadly Vane is undefeated in the series so far, winning his heat from box one before again producing his customary powerful finish to run down Beckenbauer in last week's semi-final.
"He has come along nicely both during the series and since the semi-final and I'm just hoping he can keep up the good work on Saturday night," Borg said.
"He's not brilliant out of the boxes but he does have very good acceleration and he just needs a clear run for the first ten to 15 metres."
Deadly Vane has a liking for The Meadows as he has started at the track four times for four wins.
In his heat on December 21, Deadly Vane ran off at the first turn from box one but recovered to win, before he ran a straight line from box five in his semi-final a week later. He will start from box three on Saturday night.
"I think he ran off in his heat because he is only a young dog and he has not had a lot of experience from inside boxes," Borg said.
"He certainly likes the track but he will need a clear run to that first turn.
"A lot depends on a dog like Empire Allen (box five) and how hard he cuts down to the rails early. Beckenbauer (box six) and Top Innings (box seven) both go hard left so a lot will depend on what happens with those three dogs.
"I just have to hope for the best on the night. My bloke is naturally strong and is a genuine 500m dog so if he can get through on the first turn I think he can win.
"Most of the dogs in the race are relatively inexperienced and it is all about who is the most consistent dog through the series and I'm just hoping we finish on top."
Top Innings has also gone through the first two rounds undefeated and has good box speed and his chances will be enhanced if he can cross to the lead.
Top Innings is owned by former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting who bred the son of High Earner from his bitch Ricky's Angel.
Ponting will be chasing his first Group 1 success with Top Innings.
With the scratching of Group 2 Laurels heroine Ritza Hattie (pictured) in race five Gimme Fuel looks perfectly placed to win from box two .
Black Magic Opal steps out for his first start since finishing second to Paw Licking in the Group 1 Hobart Thousand when he exits box one in race six.
Black Magic Opal will start a long odds-on favourite and does look a stand out for quaddie punters.
Best Bet: Lucy Wires (Race 1)
Best Value: Young Gunner (Race 9)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 2, 5, 3
Race 6 - 1
Race 7 - 6, 4, 5
Race 8 - 3, 7, 2, 4
$20 for 55.55%
