Ray Green couldn’t quite believe his luck when the fields came out for Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

As a previous heat winner, King Of Swing was automatically designated the worst draw in the final northern Sires Stakes Series heat.

But instead of getting the outside of the front line over the sprint (1700m) trip, King Of Swing was manually assigned the outside of the second line.

With only 11 acceptors, that put him ‘three’ on the second row, following out the well-fancied Mach Shard.

Green is over the moon with the revelation.

“I’m not complaining at all; it could actually be a good draw,” he said.

“He should probably be able to settle quite handy to them.”

King Of Swing led all the way from the ace draw at Cambridge last time out, beating a lot of the same runners he meets this week.

A cluster of new horses have entered the fold, including the highly-regarded American Brave and southern visitors Think About Me and Major Shard.

The latter two are from the all-conquering Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen stable, who already have three horses qualified for the $170,000 Final at Addington on November 14.

Green is never one to shirk a challenge and says he is looking forward to taking on the ‘blue and silver machine’ this week and, more importantly, in the Final.

“We won’t be going down there in terrible fear waiting for them to surround us.

“What will be, will be, but I think we are in better shape than most to give them a fright.”

King Of Swing was a brilliant winner of the Group 1 Australasian Breeders Crown Final at Melton in August and has pushed on to become the first horse to attempt the double in the Sires Stakes Final.

Green couldn’t be happier.

“He’s thriving; I’m really happy with him.”

There are no set plans for tomorrow night’s heat, but Green is comfortable with the fact King of Swing will deal with whatever scenario is thrown his way.

“He’s an absolute class horse and he has proved that he can work in his races with the Breeders Crown heat win at Bendigo.

“This week it’s up to David (Butcher, driver); he can read the situation and make a play as it unfolds.

“We don’t know who is going to lead.”

There is every chance Solid Gold will lead from the ace draw, but it seems likely that Zac Butcher will be looking to go forward with the Barry Purdon-trained Mach Shard.

If Mach Shard looks for the lead, that could mean King Of Swing ends up in the parked position.

King of Swing and Mach Shard will both open as narrow $4.20 second favourites with bookies this evening, just behind Major Shard at $4.

Green has scratched another of his runners, Royal Lincoln, after he suffered a few minor health issues this morning.

“He tied up on us, which is a shame as I was looking forward to running him.”

Recco Lover, another already qualified for the Final, will start from the outside of the front line for Green.

“It’s an awkward draw over that distance as there is going to be a lot of early speed and if you can’t get on the pace, there’s not much hope for you.

“He’ll be running on well and will learn a lot from the outing.”

With only five heats this year, and the 30-day stand-down issued to Addington heat place-getter Sheriff, as well as The Devils Own placing twice in heats so far, a top three finish is enough to earn a Final berth.

After this week, the final heat will be at Addington next Friday night.

Current Final qualifiers (13 to start): King Of Swing, Recco Lover, Solid Gold Arden, Chase Auckland, The Devils Own, Spankem, Pats Delight.