Is this the omen needed for return to winners’ circle?

CONNECTIONS of Maori Law hope tomorrow night’s free-for-all at Tabcorp Park Melton is the omen needed to see the top performer return to the winners’ circle.

Triumphant in last December’s Inter Dominion Final at Club Menangle, Maori Law has finished second during his three subsequent starts, including his two outings this campaign.

The squaregaiter’s most recent ‘bridesmaid’ appearance was in Bendigo a fortnight ago.

As the name suggests Maori Law is a member of the most prestigious trotting bloodline in the southern hemisphere, with the clan including the immortal Maori’s Idol – the honouree of the open class feature.

Bred, owned and trained by Ric Healy, Maori’s Idol was a superstar of the late 1970s and early ’80s, winning 40 of his 46 starts while also running four placings.

“He’s done well at his two starts this time in and is a lot closer to peak fitness going into tomorrow night’s race,” co-trainer Emmett Brosnan said.

“With a bit of luck the name of the race will be enough of an omen to see him get back on to the winning list.”

To be driven by Greg Sugars, Maori Law has drawn poorly in the middle of the second row over 1720 metres.

Despite the gelding’s starting position TAB Fixed Odds have Maori Law listed as the $2.70 favourite ahead of Credit Master at $4.80.

Prepared by Matthew Craven, Credit Master is fresh from a Queensland campaign which saw him secure the Group Two Trotters’ Sprint before finishing second in the Group One Trotters’ Cup on July 23.

“The draw isn’t the best but that’s the nature of the beast given the conditions,” Brosnan said. “This is his first time over the short trip for a while, but as I said, after a couple of runs back, he’s ready to go.”