Late Angel Lee had the advantage of starting from box two when he beat Benarkin (box eight) in a heat of the Group 3 Big Dog Cup (600m) at Albion Park last week, but with the draws reversed for tonight's final Benarkin can also reverse the result.
This week Benarkin will start from the prized rails draw while Late Angle Lee has box eight.
"I said when he drew box eight last week I was just hoping to qualify for the final and then get either box one or two and that is exactly how it has turned out," Benarkin's trainer Tony Brett said.
"I couldn't believe it when I heard the draw driving home after the heats last Thursday.
"In his heat he was just caught wide for so long and he's a dog that needs to find the fence."
Benarkin still found the line strongly to beat all but Late Angel Lee.
"They ran time and he found the line well," Brett said.
"He's getting a bit smarter in the field and with the benefit of those 700m races he had prior to this series he runs the 600m out so strong.
"I think he's a massive chance in the final.
"If he happened to lead then I doubt if they could run him down,. But even if he's in the first two or three he will be hard to hold out.
"Benarkin is jumping out of his skin, he's loving his racing at the moment."
Not only did Late Angel Lee draw wide, leading chances Cakes And Pies (box six) and Bellagio Lad (box seven) have also drawn off the track.
"They were the three leaders from last week too and they are all drawn wide," Brett said.
Late Angel Lee has won three of his past four starts over this course and distance and despite the wide draw does look the main threat, while Cakes And Pies and Bellagio Lad both have early speed and are capable of showing up.
Wagtail (box five) is a very consistent chaser and has definite place claims.
Best Bet: Benarkin (Race 8)
Best Value: Shoe Laces Lady (Race 5)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 7, 5, 1
Race 6 - 4, 2, 1, 3
Race 7 - 3, 1
Race 8 - 1, 8
$20 for 41.66%
