Perfect draw to maintain undefeated status

WELL-BRED youngster Playing Up has the perfect draw to maintain her undefeated status at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.

Making an impressive 16-metre winning debut in 1:56.2 over 1670 metres in Cobram on May 3, Playing Up then captured an Australian Pacing Gold Bullion heat in Ballarat last week.

That victory earned the daughter of Captaintreacherous and former handy mare Our Petite Soeur a berth in this weekend’s $125,000.

To connection’s delight Playing Up has drawn the pole in the Group One.

One of six Emma Stewart-trained fillies in the field, Playing Up is a $1.85 favourite in early TAB Fixed Odds markets.

“She is a very nice filly which has improved a lot since her first start,” Stewart said. “Even her work since her heat win has been sharper and she will prove better again in the Final.

“It’s a great draw for her and she will be very hard to beat.

“That said, this is another step up against a strong field, so she will need to be every bit as good as she indicates she can be.”

Ranging from $3.80 to $21, Playing Up’s stablemates Fiamma, Irish Black Label, Petillante, Our Little Jet and Heavenly Sign fill the next five lines of betting!

Faring worst on the outside of the second row, Petillante – $5.50 – is also unbeaten from two outings.

Just Hope is considered the main danger to the Stewart squad at $23 from six.

“Just Hope, which has had four starts, is the only one in the field which has been around more than twice, so they’re all still pretty much unknown quantities,” Stewart said.

“All I can say is we are happy with our lot and expect them all to be right in the finish.”