Perfect time to break maiden

RESPONSIBLE for an eye-catching run in last week’s prelude, Wicked Motion has an opportunity to break his maiden at the perfect time this weekend.

Making his debut in the Australian Pacing Gold qualifier at Club Menangle, Wicked Motion finished second behind series favourite Don Hunter, beaten a neck in 1:54.4 over a mile.

Set to return for Saturday night’s $100,000 Final at the world class venue, the son of Mcwicked has drawn to settle in a favourable from barrier three.

Pleased with the two-year-old’s progress, trainer Brad Hewitt is quietly confident Wicked Motion can cause an upset.

“He went well,” Hewitt said. “He didn’t pace as nicely as he should, and raced greenly, but he still went well.

“I’m hoping it was just a matter of it being his first time there, while running quickly…the occasion got to him!

“He’s been a tricky horse to get going, but had been alright before that run and since.

“He will want to improve, but he’s got the draw in his favour and it’s only a small field, so he should get his chance.”

Hewitt has no doubt Don Hunter remains the one to beat despite drawing wide in barrier six for Luke McCarthy.

McCarthy also has Our Main Man, which finished sixth in the prelude, drawn gate four,

By Huntsville, Our Main Man is from former top mare Musical Delight, which captured the 2012 Australian Pacing Gold Final in Melton for prominent Victorian couple Gary and Debbie Quinlan.

“Hunter is obviously the class runner of the field and one to beat,” Hewitt said. “We got close to him last time, so hopefully we can beat him this time.

“He was first-up from a break and no doubt Luke will have him a lot fitter this time, so it won’t be easy.”