PREMIER trainer Grant Dixon will be represented at both ends of the betting scale in Saturday night’s Australian Pacing Gold Final at Albion Park.
Dixon has three runners in the Group One which is for graduates of APG’s Brisbane Sale, including heat winner Jasper.
Triumphant in the Group One Qbred Final at her previous start, Jasper led throughout her qualifier to register a soft 10-metre win in 1:55.8 over 1660 metres.
As such the daughter of Mach Three has been listed as a $2.10 favourite despite her difficult draw.
To be driven by Dixon, Jasper will begin from the inside of the second row.
“The draw hasn’t been the kindest to her,” Dixon said. “If she’d drawn one to five I would have considered her a $1.40 shot.
“On paper she still deserves to be favourite, but she will need a bit of luck from there.
“Not so much that she needs good luck to be a chance to win, more that she needs some luck to make sure she gets a clear go at them from the draw.”
Also drawn the back line, Central Ark is the rank outsider at $201.
The gelding is winless from five starts, with a pair of thirds his best results.
“He will certainly need luck on his side,” Dixon said. “Again the draw hasn’t done him any favours.”
In between the pair is Chamonix, with the son of Hes Watching also set to begin from the second row.
With Dixon’s wife Trista in the cart Chamonix was successful in his heat to take his record to three wins and four placings from 10 starts.
Equal second favourite at $4.50, Chamonix will once again be driven by Trista.
New South Wales-based filly Our Ultimate Bonny is the other $4.50 shot from barrier three.
“Chamonix is a handy type and more than capable of winning,” Dixon said. “It will come down to what kind of run he gets on the night.
