Billy Buzzard and My Signature dead-heated in the fourth and final heat of the Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Supplies Gosford Gold Cup (515m) last Tuesday night and it will come as no surprise if the pair fight out next week's final.
When the talented duo clashed in their heat Billy Buzzard led from box two while My Signature raced in second position after starting from box five.
In the final My Signature will start from box two with Billy Buzzard in six.
A look at statistics concerning the pair sees - as last week's heat result indicates - there is little between them.
Billy Buzzard has started at Gosford six times for four wins and two seconds, while he has exited box six five times for four wins.
In comparison My Signature's Gosford record shows five wins from six start and he has started from box two six times for five wins.
However, Billy Buzzard recorded a first section of a very fast 4.31 in his heat while My Signature's first split was 4.46.
If Billy Buzzard can run the same section again he will be leading Tuesday night's race despite the wide draw.
"The six box won't worry him," trainer David Richardson said.
"He's a pretty versatile dog. If he can lead on Tuesday night where he's in front and out of trouble then it's up to him."
After winning the Group 2 Black Top at Unibet Gardens on August 31 this year, Billy Buzzard became ill after trialling at Wentworth Park.
"I gave him three months off after that and he has come back a much stronger dog. Before he became ill he wasn't a true 500m dog, but he's now a hell of a lot stronger than he used to be."
Since resuming Billy Buzzard has won his three starts - all at Gosford.
"He always used to run his best races at The Gardens because he was educated around there but he races as well at Gosford now as he does at The Gardens," Richardson said.
"I'm not surprised because he is such a lovely natured dog. He'll just sleep in the kennels but when you put him in the stir up he switches on.
"He pulled up really well after his heat so I'm confident he'll be spot on come Tuesday."
Awesome Project was responsible for the run of the night last Tuesday when he came from midfield with a powerful run to win in 29.65 - the fastest time of the night.
Awesome project has drawn to start from box eight in Tuesday night's final.
Photo: Billy Buzzard & David Richardson with Lena Sweetman & My Signature after dead-heating at Gosford last Tuesday night.
