Racing: Baileys Dream ready to kick on

Todd Mitchell knew quickly yesterday morning in Cranbourne, near Melbourne, that outstanding 3-year-old Baileys Dream was feeling very fit.

Baileys Dream unleashed a couple of brutal hind leg kicks in an attempt to dislodge Mitchell from the racing cart while being jogged.

This combination will start hot favourites in the $A133,920 Australasian Breeders Crown Series Final for 3-year-olds at Cranbourne today.

"I jogged Baileys Dream for Brendon [Hill, trainer] on Saturday morning and he lined me up a couple of times and he put the boot in, trying to kick me out of the cart," said Mitchell.

"He's taken no harm from racing and winning his semi-final at Cranbourne on Tuesday night and he'll be spot-on for the final.

"Brendon didn't have the hopples on him for the last six days heading into the semi-final and he seems to be the type who races at his best when produced fresh-up to race.

"He paced well around the track on Tuesday and the only reason he was hanging out around the bends was because he got a little keen when horses came around the field to sit outside him.

"He'll never be the type of horse that is going to win his races by a big margin because he only does what he has to do.

"From barrier three in the final I can try to rush out and lead, or just hold up and sit close to the pace. The great thing about Baileys Dream is that he's the type who can make his own luck in a race.

"There is a bit of gate speed so it may be a good option to stay out of the early speed war.

"He's a very good stayer who can either lead or sit outside the leader and control the race."

Mitchell is no stranger to winning at Super Sunday at Cranbourne, having driven the Steven Reid-trained Fake Denario to win the 3-year-old final last year.

New South Wales reinsman Peter Rixon declared in-form youngster Divisive ready to run the race of his short career in the Group One Breeders' Crown final for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Rixon was pumped up after he successfully won a stay of proceedings against a two-week suspension that threatened him from taking the drive with Divisive.

He was ousted after his winning drive on Divisive in the Breeders' Crown semi-final at Cranbourne on Tuesday night.

"The horse has struck form and from gate two I think he can get the lead and be very hard to beat."

Divisive, winner of his past three races and five of his nine career starts, has his main danger McRaes Mate drawn on his inside at six, the same it drew in the semi-final when a two-metre fourth to Divisive who came from the second row.

Divisive ran his final 800m in a sizzling 57.4 seconds to defeat Romeo Castle and Tip Your Hat.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY