CHERYL McDowell might laugh she has "everything crossed" for good luck, but when it comes to chasing the Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival's big fillies double a little luck certainly helps.
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While the Gold Tiara series for two-year-old fillies has been a part of the carnival since its inception in 1987, it was in 2000 that the three-year-old fillies Gold Bracelet was introduced.
In the 19 years since there have been four fillies - Nemeeshar, Lady Euthenia, Aussie Made Lombo and Dont Think Twice - who have won the Gold Tiara-Gold Bracelet double.
McDowell hopes to add another name to that list this year - Michelle Lee Mac.
A Bettors Delight x Duets filly she owns with her husband and driver Colin McDowell, last year Michelle Lee Mac provided them with a huge thrill when she won the Gold Tiara.
"It's 12 months now and Kerry [McDowell, trainer] said to me, and I said it too, it still feels like yesterday. It was just such a really special moment that it hasn't left our hearts," Cheryl McDowell said.
"We did pass the trophy around. She [Michelle Lee Mac] is named after my daughter so she got it for a little while then Dean and Kerry - they trained her - so they got it for a little while. Then, because we are the owners, we got it for a little while.
"Michelle has lots of parties and get-togethers at her house, so it takes pride of place. When people come in and look it, and look at her and wonder 'What is this all about', well then we get to relive it all over again."
On Monday Michelle Lee Mac will line up in her Gold Bracelet heat and look to qualify for the Group 1, $100,000 final which will be held on March 28.
Her current record starts at five wins and five placings from 17 starts and while McDowell feels she has the talent to add to that in Bathurst, she knows it won't be easy.
She has seen plenty of fancied runners - ones she has owned and bred amongst them - miss out in races they are expected to win.
"We've got everything crossed - there's stiff competition, but we'll be there, we'll be trying and if it comes off it comes off," she said.
"When you've been in harness racing as long as we have, you come to learn the fact that they are not machines these horses. They do the best they can, you do the best you can and sometimes it comes off.
"I think it was about the third year we raced in Bathurst and we had a horse called Secrets and she won her tiara heat and her semi-final in Australasian track record time for a two-year-old. So I had my speech all written out.
"But in the final it was pouring rain and she shied at the photographer half way down the straight and missed about 150 metres. She flashed home and finished second - I swallowed my speech.
"So everything that could possibly happen to us over the years has, it's just on you go."
Before Michelle Lee Mac runs, the McDowells have Prince Of Peace in action in the first of the Gold Crown heats for two-year-old colts and geldings on Friday night.
