Better Joy poised to take advantage of ace

Dexter Dunn.
Dexter Dunn.
Southern-bred filly Bettor Joy has the chance to avenge her big-race bad luck at Addington tonight.

The Cran Dalgety-trained filly has had nothing but bad fortune in two group 1 races so far this season, which have been won by leading rival Elle Mac.

The are set to square off again in tonight's group 1 Nevele R Fillies Series final.

Bettor Joy has drawn barrier 1 and has the perfect opportunity to put behind her the horror luck she faced in the Sires Stakes Final and the Northern Oaks.

Driver Dexter Dunn has no doubts about his filly's ability to use that barrier.

"She is pretty quick out of the gate. I wouldn't think anything would be able to beat her out," he said.

Dunn expects Elle Mac will also be quick out the gate and keep his filly right in her sights.

How much pressure driver Natalie Rasmussen applies from there and the pressure from other runners is likely to decide Bettor Joy's winning chances, Dunn said.

"I would expect her to be right there from the outset.

"It is just going to depend on how much mid-race pressure we have cop."

New Zealand Derby winner Sheriff will race in a hot free-for-all line up in race 7.

Although Orange is eager to reunite with the star 3yr-old, he is approaching tonight's race with some caution.

"It is a totally different ball game for him to race these older horses.

"Its not a question of him being fit enough or not, but they have had so much more racing.

"This race is not the be all and end all for him, either, because he has got the Jewels coming up."

Several of Sheriff's starstudded line-up of rivals are on a similar path to the Jewels.

Tiger Thompson, Pat's Delight, Sicario, Delishka and Bonnie Joan will all be using the event as a stepping stone to the Cambridge Jewels.

That leaves Alta Orlando as a horse that could be out doing tough work while his younger rivals are looking to take a sit.

Riccarton galloper Prince Of Oz will aim for three consecutive wins in today's Autumn Sprint Championship qualifier at Ashburton.

The Neill Ridley trained 6yr-old will again be ridden by Terry Moseley, who scored an impressive win on the horse at Wingatui last month.

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