Straunys Sister has managed just one win from 19 starts but leading trainer Michael Young is confident the four-year-old mare will prove hard to beat when she begins from the coveted No. 1 barrier in the $21,000 The Ashes On Seven Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Straunys Sister, who entered Young's Mardella stables two and a half weeks ago, will be handled by claiming driver Liam Elliott, who will be keen to make full use of the mare's good gate speed.

Straunys Sister made her debut for the Young stable in a 2130m event at Kellerberrin last Sunday week when she began from barrier five, raced three wide early before moving to the breeze outside Miss Knowall before fading to a well-beaten fourth behind Isaidboo.

"She should go alright on Friday night," said Young. "I had had her for only four days when she raced at Kellerberrin, and since then I have changed some gear, and she worked really good the other day.

"Barrier one is a help, and this is not an overly strong field, so I expect her to go pretty good."

 Star trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo has given punters a good lead by choosing to drive Cold Hard Cash in preference to Bettor Arcade in the 21,000 The Chase On Seven Westbred Pace over 2130m.

Joey Suvaljko will drive Bettor Arcade, who is awkwardly drawn at barrier No. 7, while Cold Hard Cash has drawn the coveted No. 1 barrier.

"I'll be driving Cold Hard Cash just because of the draw," said De Campo. "He and Bettor Arcade are on equal terms as horses, but I think Cold Hard Cash can lead and run a strong race."

Cold Hard Cash, a winner at nine of his 49 starts, will be having his first start for 14 weeks. He was unplaced at his final three outings before going for a spell in mid-May. His most recent win was when he led and beat Rellim by a half-length over 2597m at Bridgetown on April 6 this year.

Bettor Arcade has shown good promise, with her 21 starts producing six wins, five seconds and two thirds. He finished strongly when a last-start second to Lady camel over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Tuesday of last week.