Qualifying first Group One runner is already a win

SHE’S the rank outsider of the field, but that means nothing to connections.

As far as trainer Todd Prest is concerned qualifying his first Group One runner is already a win!

Prest will be represented by Sporty Dancer in a Breeders’ Crown Final at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night, with the daughter of Sportswriter at $151 with TAB Fixed Odds.

On the other end of the spectrum, New Zealand raider Bettor Twist is a $2.20 favourite.

“She has been a handy filly all along and to make her way into the Breeders’ Crown Final is a pretty good effort,” Prest said.

“I sent her to Shannon Price for a Queensland campaign during winter and she won the Group Three South East Oaks before running third in the Queensland Oaks.

“Although she was in a Group One up there, this is the first time I’ve had a runner in a Group One as a trainer.

“We’re going to need a lot of luck…it’s an old cliché, but you’ve got to be in it to win it.”

Fifth in her semi-final, Sporty Dancer has drawn awkwardly in barrier five.

Champion reinsman Chris Alford will partner the three-year-old.

“I thought she ran home just as good as the winner in the semi, but she was well back,” Prest said.

“That was only her second start from a break and she will be tighter again on Saturday night.

“It is a bit of a tricky draw and if she’d drawn one or two and sat on leader’s back I’d give her a sneaky chance.

“Now we’ll just hope for luck on the night and see how we go…that’s all we can do!”