Heat win sends ominous warning

PRODUCING a phenomenal performance during his heat win, Lambro Mach made it clear he is the one to beat in tomorrow night's Golden Nursery Final at Globe Derby.

Breaking stride as soon as the field was released, Lambro Mach gave driver Gaita Pullicino a difficult time before returning to a pace which saw him settle a conservative 60 metres from the leader, Rockin Bull.

Catching the field approaching the bell, Lambro Mach was angled three-wide around the final bend on his way to a three-and-a-half metre win from Splash Of Paynt in 1:59.3 over 1800 metres.

"It was a good run after doing plenty wrong early," trainer David Phillips said. "When he started pacing, even though he was a fair way off them, I felt he'd still give them a go as he was only 30 metres off the second last horse!

"He still had a fair bit of petrol left on the line and Gaita never pulled the plugs, so did go alright."

Banished to the Outside of the Draw due to his misbehaviour, Lambro Mach will begin from barrier 10 in the $25,000 decider.

"I'm not worried about the draw," Phillips said. "He showed last week what he is capable of.

"I have put some shorteners on him, which will help him, plus now Gaita will know him a bit better, so hopefully he will get away safely."

Although he is confident with the son of Betting Line, Phillips regards fellow heat winner, Always Dancing, as the main threat.

Prepared by Mount Gambier horsewoman Alyce Finnis, Always Dancing boasts wins at his last four starts.

To be driven by Finnis' husband, Jayson, Always Dancing also carries ODM status, which has resulted in the two-year-old drawing the outside of the front row.

"Always Dancing has got a lot of form and they're confident, so it's fair to say he is the biggest danger," Phillips said. "All I can say is I'm happy with my horse and know what he is capable of, so also confident with his chances."