Five wide on the back row – with the favourites up front, no less – leaves Red Hot Tooth’s breeder and owner Bullock crossing his fingers for fortune to favour him in the $150,000 decider.

The multiple Group 1 winner, trained by former Bathurst resident Kari Males, finished third in the last of her heats to secure the place in the final.

“You’ve just got to have luck on your side now. There’s some speedy horses up front up you’ve got to hope that they go hard up front then give a path to run through,” Bullock said.

“You’re in the race though, and that in itself is a huge thing.”

The race is being billed as a duel between Tornado Valley and Speeding Spur.

Tornado Valley has won 16 of his last 18 starts and looked comfortable across all his heat wins.

Speeding Spur has racked up frequent flyer miles jumping between Australia and New Zealand throughout his career but no matter the location he’s remained tough to beat.

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Red Hot Tooth will have to contend with her third back row start this series but has battled well to keep herself in the mix with each run.

From her final draw Red Hot Tooth is certain to sit back and hope for a late opening to arise, unless an opportunity opens up early.

“When you’re in a position like that you just leave it up to the driver,” he said.

“Zac [Phillips] is a very competent, young driver. Like most of these young drivers they’re pretty fearless and if they see an absolute needle opening then they’re through it.”

Bullock has been along for the ride with Red Hot Tooth since her foaling, which he believes adds to the moment.

“We saw her from when she was just a couple of hours old,” he said.

“You bring them up, break them in, give them their education and it’s a great thing to witness.

“The mother has foaled again this year with a nice colt so hopefully it will all start again for us.”