Reigning NSW Derby champion Patsbeachstorm looms as the headline act at Saturday night’s Tabcorp Park Melton meeting.
The David Moran-trained star is first-up from his recent Group 1 victory in the first heat of the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan Pace.
The three-year-old, who almost died to what’s presumed to have been a spider bite last year, put together a quality preparation through early 2021 which included four wins, biggest of which was the $200,000 Derby.
He has barrier nine for this weekend’s assignment, where Moran will be in the sulky.
Meanwhile, Anywhere Hugo has drawn to replicate his dominant victory at Tabcorp Park Melton last weekend when he steps out in Saturday night’s Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan Trot Final.
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The Chris Svanosio-trained squaregaiter was an impressive winner in the second heat of the series after landing in front from barrier one and leading all the way in a mile rate of 1:59.9min.
His victory was a shade quicker than heat one victor Teetreetommy, who charged home from back in the field to score in 2:00.5min.
Anywhere Hugo has come up with barrier one again this weekend, while Teetreetommy has drawn out wide in seven.
A field of 12 will tackle the $30,000 event, which carries Group 2 status.
The return of highly-talented seven-year-old Sirletic is an exciting addition to the 10-race card, with David Aiken’s top-liner stepping out for the first time since March.
Sirletic won the DNR Logistics Gammalite before a string of third placings in the Garrards Horse and Hound Bendigo Pacing Cup, Neatline Homes Shepparton Gold Cup and TAB Pure Steel last preparation.
Stan Cameron’s Group 1 winner Savannah Jay Jay is also back at the races on Saturday night, when he will tackle the TAB Derby Royale Trotters Free For All.
THE WEEK AHEAD ON TROTS VISION
TUESDAY
Tabcorp Park Melton (night)
Race caller Dan Mielicki will bring you all the action from a 10-race card at Victorian headquarters, with the first race set to go at 5.06pm.
WEDNESDAY
Hamilton (day)
Strong, competitive fields are the order of the day as racing moves to the south-west of the state for the club’s first meeting since early April.
Swan Hill (night)
The fourth heat of the Alabar Vicbred Mares Sprint Championship headlines the meeting from Swan Hill, with a field of 11 looking to book a place in the $40,000 final at Tabcorp Park Melton on August 7.
THURSDAY
Ballarat (night).
The Trots Vision coverage ramps up for a big night of Australian Pacing Gold Vic Gold Bullion heats, with Tim O’Connor and Dan Mielicki joining forces to bring you wall-to-wall coverage of the meeting at Bray Raceway. The first of the heats for the two-year-old fillies looks one of the highlights of the night, with five last-start winners clashing. These include the exciting Emma Stewart-trained trio Fiamma, Petillante and Irish Black Label.
FRIDAY
Kilmore (night)
This time, Kima Frenning and Paul Campbell will be trackside hosts on Trots Vision as Luke Humphreys calls all the action from Kilmore. More APG heats are on the cards, with the second-round battles taking place in the three-year-old division.
SATURDAY
Tabcorp Park Melton (night)
Three major features are part of the meeting at Tabcorp Park Melton, with the Allied Express Richmond Lass for the mares at Group 3 level, the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan Trot Final (Group 2) bringing a conclusion to the two heats from last weekend and the TAB Derby Royale Trotters Free For All (Group 3) drawing a nice line-up of open class squaregaiters.
Jason Bonnington and Rob Auber will be in studio for Trots Vision, joined by caller Luke Humphreys.
SUNDAY
Shepparton (day)
The highly-anticipated Pacing for Pink major fundraising day will be given the coverage it deserves on Trots Vision, with Nikkita Ross and Toby McKinnon hosting alongside caller Lachlan McIntosh. It promises to be a massive afternoon, with plenty of interviews in store as well as all the action on track.
>> READ MORE: Drivers to don pink pants in May for annual campaign
MONDAY
Warragul (day)
The fifth heat of the Alabar Vicbred Mares Sprint Championship is part of the action from the heart of Gippsland.
