On times posted in Saturday night's Masters Meteor heats next Friday's $100,000 to the winner final is a match between Sunburnt Highway and Nangar Kash, but Mick Hardman, the latter dog's trainer, believes the box draw gives his arch rival the edge.
"Having said that I was rapt in Nangar Kash's 18 lengths heat win in 29.91 because I have been a bit soft on him until the past couple of weeks when I have been really boring the work into him.
"The Masters Meteor series was always his goal and he has peaked at the right time, but when we last drew outside Sunburnt Highway, Nangar Kash led him but got run down.''
Sunburnt Highway, who led throughout in his heat in identical time, 29.91, had box seven in posting his 18th Wentworth Park win on Saturday night.
Before the race John Richardson, whose wife Judith owns and trains the dog, said: "He is right on his best weight tonight so we are fairly confident.''
Hello Robbo ran down Charlie Cockatoo to win her heat of the Masters Meteor in 30.35 while John Chapman's Bondurant flashed along the rails to beat Robbie Knows by a nose in his heat in 30.40.
The Eileen Robertson trained Hello Robbo had box eight last Saturday and has drawn the same box in Friday's final.
Maldini and Chrissie Banner shared fastest heat times of 30.02 in Saturday's Young Star Classic heats, with Rachel's Revenge and Midnight Escape scoring in 30.07 and 30.11 respectively.
Ruth Matic, whose daughter Danielle owns and trains Maldini, said later: "The dog had run 29.90 getting beaten at his past two 520m starts at Nowra so we gave him a good chance from his suitable box two draw.''
Unfortunately for the Matics, Maldini has drawn box six in Friday's final.
Chrissie Banner showed her customary early speed to lead throughout after exiting box eight, but has drawn two in the final.
Trainer Barry Gibbons said: "Early in her career Chrissie Banner wanted an inside box because she was a good railer.
"But it has been so long since she drew near the fence, she has become accustomed to handling wide alleys.
Trainer Sid Swain was happy with box one as he wanted an inside final draw with Midnight Escape, who was a clear last approaching the first turn before his fast finishing heat win from box two.
"He stumbled and almost fell soon after the start in his heat, that's why he came from so far back to win,'' Swain said.
Joe Sciberras, trainer of Rachel's Revenge, who led throughout from box six in her heat, was hoping for box eight on Friday night but has come up with box three in the final.
