Racing: Opponents can only Dream

If you thought One Dream was awesome at Alexandra Park last start just wait until you see her tonight.

That is the warning from co-trainer Dave McGowan as his best ever pacer prepares for tonight's $100,000 Caduceus Club Classic, victory in which would guarantee her two-year-old filly of the year honours.

One Dream beat almost exactly the same opposition in the Sires' Stakes Fillies Championship two weeks ago when she overcame working hard early to outstay Scotlynn Jane over 1700m.

Tonight she faces starting from the outside of the front line over 2200m but McGowan says One Dream is up to the challenge.

"She is definitely a better filly than she was two weeks ago," said McGowan.

"She has only had the three starts so everything is very much a learning curve for her.

"But the penny has dropped now. I don't have to teach her how to do things anymore because she has seen how races work and knows how to do it herself."

One Dream has only had one serious workout since her group one win a fortnight ago and thrilled McGowan with her performance on Monday morning.

"She worked perfectly over 2400m, pacing her last 800m in 1:0, which is as fast as she ever goes in work.

"But she better on all levels than she was last start."

One Dream may need to be though as the best fillies in the country are drawn inside her, including Scotlynn Jane at barrier four.

"I think she is the one we have to beat, along with Top Tempo, but I am sure she can overcome the draw.

"I don't know what will happen at the start but if she has to go back then I'd be happy to see her come around and sit parked at the bell. It wouldn't worry her."

While One Dream should start favourite tonight there will be strong southern support for Scotlynn Jane, who was outstanding when second after sitting parked in the Sires' Stakes.

She may not have high gate speed but could wrest the lead tonight and that would make her very hard to catch as she too looks well suited by the 2200m.

Like so many South Island pacers before her she should be better for her first Alexandra Park experience last start.

Top Tempo looks another filly who will relish the 2200m tonight and will be out to regain some of the respect she had before two northern defeats.

She was disqualified from fourth in the Sires' Stakes for slightly checking a rival early and will somewhat ironically have the services of Maurice McKendry in the sulky tonight.

McKendry missed driving last week after injuries suffered when driving Geld Bromac in the spectacular Sires' Stakes fall.

He is back tonight though and filling in for Top Tempo's trainer Mark Purdon, who is suspended until next month.

At her best Top Tempo has the strength to win tonight but will need to return to her best form after looking slightly lacklustre for two of her three starts since coming north.

The intriguing runner is Reality Check, who is the highest earning filly in the country but has been out of form and luck in her last starts.

If she can bounce back to her best tonight she can win from barrier one as she looks an Oaks filly in the making.

While the two-year-old pacing fillies will chase the biggest money tonight the highlight of the meeting will be the clash of the country's best male juveniles in the $20,000 Morrinsville Juvenile Stakes.

The $20,000 race is the final lead-up to next Friday's Juvenile Championship and is another leg in harness racing's hottest new arch-rivalry between Gotta Go Cullen and Fergiemack.

The pair deadheated for first in the Sires' Stakes Final at Addington last start, with both having excuses for why they didn't win.

Fergiemack could even start favourite tonight though with the huge advantage of the ace draw over the 1700m, whereas Gotta Go Cullen will have to start from the outside of the front line.

That should ensure Fergiemack settles in front and that could set up an interesting tactical battle so close to next week's group one.

The field also contains class acts Changeover, Christian Warrior and Days Of Courage in what will be a thrilling dress rehearsal next Friday.

Dream filly

* One Dream heads an outstanding fillies' field for tonight's $100,000 Caduceus Club Classic at Alexandra Park.

* Her co-trainer Dave McGowan says she has improved since winning the Sires' Stakes Fillies Championship on May 26.

* One Dream will start from the outside of the front line in the group one feature.

* Tonight's other big race sees the clash of the best male juvenile pacers in the Morrinsville Stakes.