Tabcorp Park Melton will provide the stage for some exciting horses to make their return to racing this Saturday night.
Two of those hail from the Emma Stewart barn, with Always Fast and Struve set to resume in the TAB Long May We Play Pace and Dilmah Tea Pace respectively.
Always Fast won the Group 2 Mercury80 Final in early 2020 before progressing to some of the state’s biggest races last preparation, including the Vicbred Super Series 4YO Entires and Geldings Final (eighth) and Ballarat Cup (seventh).
The son of Always A Virgin won a trial at Melton on May 17 in readiness for his first-up assignment.
Struve has always been a quirky customer, but has loads of ability. His record stands at 11 wins from 22 starts, and he tuned up for Saturday night with a second placing to Always Fast in that recent hit-out a couple of weeks ago.
Trainer Brad Angove will also bring back top trotter Sundons Courage this Saturday night.
The evergreen squaregaiter has competed in 11 Group 1 races since the beginning of 2020, which includes his last-start effort in February’s Australian Trotting Grand Prix.
After a trial success at Maryborough last Sunday, the eight-year-old is ready for the Group 3 Niota Bloodstock I Didn’t Do It Trotters Free For All, which is the headline race on Saturday night’s card.
It’s another big week in Victorian harness racing, and as usual, Trots Vision coverage will be live and free via thetrots.com.au.
THE WEEK AHEAD
TUESDAY
Tabcorp Park Melton (night)
The home of Victorian harness racing hosted four Group 1 features on Saturday night and will back up again this evening with an intriguing 10-race card. Join caller Dan Mielicki for the first on Trots Vision from just after 5pm.
WEDNESDAY
Shepparton (night)
Luke Humphreys will call all the action from the Goulburn Valley, with the first of eight races going at 4.50pm.
THURSDAY
Bendigo (night)
Big, competitive fields are largely the theme at Lord’s Raceway, where 10 events will be run and won. Lachlan McIntosh is your caller.
FRIDAY
Mildura (day)
After 12 races last Friday night, Mildura returns to the afternoon timeslot. Can Bernie Winkle win his 28th race at the track? Find out at 3.17pm.
Ballarat (night)
Racing is back at Bray Raceway for the first time since the club hosted the exciting heats of the Australian Pacing Gold two-year-old and three-year-old series on May 20.
SATURDAY
Tabcorp Park Melton (night)
A highlight is the return of Brad Angove-trained squaregaiter Sundons Courage in the night’s feature event, the Group 3 I Didnt Do It Trotters Free For All.
SUNDAY
Ararat (twilight)
The meeting includes the sixth heat of the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship, which leads to a $40,000 final at Tabcorp Park Melton on August 7.
MONDAY
Yarra Valley (day)
Beat the Monday blues with an afternoon meeting at Yarra Valley, where Brendan Delaney will call the action.
