Stunning first-up winner Spring In His Step has drawn barrier three for Saturday night’s Gordon Rothacker Memorial Championship Final.
The Russell Jack-trained colt couldn’t have been more impressive in his heat victory last weekend when he sat three-wide for basically the entire 1720m trip and looks extremely hard to beat in this weekend’s $30,000 Group 3 contest at Tabcorp Park Melton.
The field rated 1:53.8, which was more than two seconds quicker than the heat Andy Gath-trained Sanday won earlier in the night.
The first five horses across the line in the two qualifiers progressed to the final, which was won last year by Yorkshire.
The Villawood Properties Maori Miss Trotters Free For All is the other Group 3 on the Melton card, and while there’s only a small field of seven, it’s packed full of quality. Impressive last-start winners Adelle (Kerryn Manning) and Im Ready Jet (Anton Golino) will go head-to-head with Monaro Maro (Gath) and others in the $24,000 feature for the trotting mares.
Among the other notable runners on Saturday night is John Justice-trained Huli Nien and Jason McNaulty’s Travel Bug, who both return from breaks.
Huli Nien ran some good races last preparation, highlighted by a barnstorming win in the Bob Knight Memorial Vicbred Pace at Kilmore, while Travel Bug captured Group 3 success last time in by winning the Touch Merchant Trotters Free For All at Bendigo.
While there’s plenty of action at Melton, the TrotsVision coverage will also include live crosses to Tabcorp Park Menangle where Jason Bonnington and Nikkita Ross will bring you all the latest from Inter Dominion grand final night.
There’ll be plenty of happy connections and feel-good stories to come out of Maryborough on Wednesday during the Humbletonian carnival.
Paul Campbell, Tim O’Connor, Toby McKinnon and caller Lachlan McIntosh will be on track to bring you all the joy via TrotsVision as over 110 horses chase their first career win.
All 12 races on the card are for maidens, with preference in field selection given to horses with the most lifetime starts.
Harness Breeders Victoria is the major sponsor of the day and will provide a $250 cash bonus to breeders of all winners. The Victorian Square Trotters Association, Maryborough Harness Racing Club and Harness Racing Victoria will also offer a range of bonuses and trophies in addition to the prizemoney and Vicbred boosts already attached to the races.
THE WEEK AHEAD
TUESDAY: Ararat (day). WEDNESDAY: Maryborough (day), Mildura (night). THURSDAY: Melton (day), Echuca (night). FRIDAY: Bendigo (night). SATURDAY: Melton (night). SUNDAY: Stawell (day). MONDAY: Warragul (day), Swan Hill (night).
