Battle within the battle

THERE will be a battle within the battle at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night as a pair of stars compete for an additional bounty.

Along with vying for the lion’s share of the $100,000 stake on offer, Im Ready Jet and Majestuoso are also engaged in a struggle for a $50,000 bonus.

The extra ‘cream’ is the prize for earning the most points during Harness Racing Victoria’s sensational initiative Aurora Australis, which encompassed eight features.

Thanks to his success in The Knight Pistol a fortnight ago, Majestuoso took the lead from Im Ready Jet, with the former holding a two-point advantage.

Outside of a mathematical headache, victory in the Grand Prix is the only way Im Ready Jet can return to the top and secure the bonus for connections.

A win is worth eight points, meaning if Im Ready Jet can emerge triumphant for high-profile trainer Anton Golino and Majestuoso finishes second, the daughter of Quaker Jet will win by a point.

If Im Ready Jet runs second with Majestuoso third they will tie for the bonus.

“It will be nice if she can win the race let alone the bonus,” Golino said. “The name explains itself, it’s a bonus!

“She is in terrific shape and ready to run another big race, but probably couldn’t have drawn worse.”

While the pole is typically a desired starting position, in Im Ready Jet’s case it could prove a disaster.

The last time the trotter began from barrier one, which was a Great Southern Star heat three weeks ago, she galloped before producing a phenomenal effort to run second.

“It’s the draw I didn’t want to with her,” Golino said. “She galloped from there a few weeks ago and now the concern is she will do it again.

“We’ve just to hope she is on her best behaviour.”