I can only dream of winning in a Group One!

FRESH from registering his biggest win within harness racing, Darren Pace is hoping for another milestone this weekend.

Last month Pace trained and drove Sam Nien to capture a $125,000 Trot Final in Melton, which he described as "my greatest achievement in this sport."

Fast forward to Saturday night and Pace and his talented youngster will be vying for Group One glory.

Runner-up in a recent heat in Bendigo, Sam Nien has earned a berth in the Melton-based Group One Need For Speed Prince Final.

It will be the first time Pace has prepared a Group race runner.

"I can only dream of winning in a Group One," Pace said. "After getting my biggest win a few weeks ago, I can't be greedy, but a win at the highest level would be something else.

"He is certainly going well enough to be competitive, but as confident as I am in him, I'm not exactly heading into the race full of confidence given how strong the field is."

To be driven by Pace, Sam Nien has drawn barrier three, with TAB Fixed Odds listing the son of Volstead on the third line of betting at $11.

Commodus heads the field at $1.10 from the pole, with Ijustcalledtosay splitting the pair at $8.50 despite drawing wide in gate seven.

Commodus and Ijustcalledtosay won their heats.

"I would have preferred he drew inside Commodus, but it is what it is," Pace said. "The draw does make it a little tricky as I'm not sure where he will end up in the run.

"Hopefully the speed is on though and he can use his sprint on the way home."