By MICHAEL GUERIN
Hot Shoe Shuffle missed New Zealand's richest juvenile fillies race last night and co-trainer Mike Berger couldn't be happier about it.
While Hot Shoe Shuffle would have been among the favourites for last night's $110,000 Caduceus Classic at Alexandra Park, she had even bigger fish to fry on the other side of the Tasman.
The Waikato filly is the warm favourite for the $A200,000 Breeders Crown Fillies Final in Bendigo, Victoria, tomorrow.
The Breeders Crown has emerged from nothing to become one of the most sought-after races in Australia, with Harness Racing Victoria having plans to expand it further.
But with the fillies racing for $A200,000, it is already the richest juvenile race New Zealand pacers are eligible for.
And judging by her heat win on Tuesday night it is going to take a huge effort for the locals to repel the Kiwi challenge.
Hot Shoe Shuffle led easily in the first of Tuesday's four heats before racing to a 12m win in the hands of David Butcher.
That was enough to see her installed a $2.50 favourite for tomorrow's final, which will be screened live on Trackside.
"She won it very easily and she should be just as good, it not better, for the final," said Butcher, who is enjoying the best season of his career.
Greatly aiding Hot Shoe Shuffle's cause is the fact she has drawn barrier two tomorrow from where she is likely to find the lead, which will be crucial around the Bendigo track.
Her biggest dangers should be the greatly improved Sassy Sarah, who has drawn the ace, and talented New South Wales filly Wicked Woman.
If Hot Shoe Shuffle does win it will provide Berger and his training partner Warren Rich with the richest win of their careers.
The stable will also be represented by last season's Easter Cup winner Facta Non Verba in a free-for-all at Bendigo tonight, although the high class gelding will have to start from a second line draw.
* Champion reinsman Gavin Lang surprised many with his decision to partner Wicked Weapon in the same race as Hot Shoe Shuffle (Our Hot Shoe Shuffle in Australia).
Lang was expected to drive Sassy Sarah especially when she drew the coveted pole position while Wicked Weapon drew gate 11.
But Lang's loyalty to Sydney trainer Michael Doltoff swung his decision.
Sassy Sarah rated the fastest time of the fillies' heats with her 1m:59.40s while Wicked Weapon rated 2m:00.80s.
Lang drove both horses in their heat wins.
In latest betting from the Melbourne Betting Shop, Hot Shoe Shuffle is the $A2.50 favourite while Sassy Sarah is $A3.30.
Despite her awkward second row draw Wicked Weapon is third favourite at $A4.50.
Racing: Filly Hot stuff to win in Bendigo
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