Wow – what a weekend we have to look forward to!
Five Group 1s headline feature racing across three states, with it all getting underway tonight in the west alongside the Great Southern Star from Melton.
The Freemantle Pacing Cup a fortnight ago was an amazing scene-setter to tonight’s $450,000 WA Pacing Cup, with MINSTREL, MAGNIFICENT STORM and CHICAGO BULL going to war a long way out in a great spectacle.
In the end, it was Team Bond quinellaing that Group 1 with Minstrel clinging on from the flying PATRONUS STAR with HURRICAN HARLEY a breath away in third.
Tonight, the tables have turned with Minstrel’s quest for the cups double potentially curtailed by a tricky inside second row draw, whereas Magnificent Storm seemingly holds a strong advantage from a front row gate of six.
Chicago Bull couldn’t have had a much harder run than what he endured when a fading 10th two weeks ago, but somehow the 20m margin was still the story of a wonderful effort all things considered. It could have been much further if it was any other horse.
The TAB punters have chimed into the ‘little bull’ and despite drawing the second row, he has firmed in from $4.50 to $3.70 clear favouritism.
It would be some sort of performance if the now nine-year-old could win another Freemantle Cup.
While the west will hold the richest prizemoney feature of the night, trotting enthusiasts will be glued to Tabcorp Park Melton’s all squaregaiting card of 10 quality contests.
The headline act will be the running of the $300,000 Great Southern Star, which will have no final field determined until a few hours before post time.
In a unique occurrence, the 10 starters in the Group 1 final will fight for their position in a heat three hours before, with the resilience and durability of the standardbred tested twice in one night.
The two trotting powerhouses of Victoria, Kate and Andy Gath and Yabby Dam Farms, have multi-pronged attacks in this year’s edition and look to battle it out with five of the favourites heading into the heats.
After the qualifiers are run as races three and four on the card, a live barrier draw will be conducted after race six at 9.10pm. To add to the uniqueness of this series, horses will be drawn at random, however connections have an opportunity to pick their own barrier.
It is certain to be riveting viewing and you will be able to tune in live on Sky Racing Active.
The Hunter Cup is the race we’ve been hoping for, for quite some time.
This night two years ago produced the re-emergence of KING OF SWING after he gained a start as an emergency and then burst back onto the Grand Circuit.
Only a few races earlier, LOCHINVAR ART caused a boilover in the 4YO Bonanza when taking down Self Assured and set a track record of 1.48.6min that hasn’t been challenged since.
The two star pacers then sparred against each other for the next 12 months while dominating the Grand Circuit along the Eastern seaboard.
Tomorrow night they meet again for the first time in a year, however things have vastly changed since they last clashed on the racetrack.
Lochinvar Art is looking to stage a remarkable comeback after spending the best part of a year on the sidelines, readying for this title defence with two brave, but defeated efforts in the Shepparton Cup and Ballarat Cup. His task was even further heightened with a gate of six decided at Monday night’s barrier draw.
While many of their battles have been two-horse races, it is certainly not the case tomorrow night.
AMAZING DREAM has been an incredible filly and mare, and while only recently turning five, she has taken all before her and banked enormous prizemoney in the process.
She must be a huge danger from the inside of the second row, and she has proven time and time again just how devastating she can be off a soft trip in a strong staying test.
It must be some sort of surprise that SPRIT OF ST LOUIS goes around at a double figure price after sweeping all before him in this carnival so far. If he is coiled up and within striking distance on the last turn, there is no reason why he can’t complete a marvellous month for his connections.
I am siding with AMAZING DREAM to be the first mare since Blossom Lady went back-to-back in 1994 and 1995 to win the A G Hunter Cup. If she can salute in the $500,000 feature, it will also be a remarkable eighth victory in the time-honoured event for driver Anthony Butt.
She has the right man for the job aboard.
.jpg)
The 4YO Bonanza has been a brilliant pointer towards the Chariots Of Fire for several seasons, and there is no reason why this year’s edition won’t deliver the same.
With automatic qualification for that marquee event on the line, alongside the $100,000 prize pool, Victoria’s best four-year-olds have shown up to do battle.
BONDI LOCKDOWN capped a remarkable three-year-old season with an unbelievably good performance to win the Vicbred Super Series Final on New Year’s Eve, and he has been an odds-on favourite throughout betting. The line up around him is all quality though, with the likes of KIMBLE, ROCK N ROLL DOO, BEYOND DELIGHT and ACT NOW extremely classy commodities in their own right.
Another pointer towards the Sydney carnival will be the Group 1 Ladyship Cup, with automatic entry to the Ladyship Mile on February 26 up for grabs.
SPELLBOUND has the fortune of barrier one on her side, while her foe MAAJIDA will have to overcome the extreme front row gate of seven.
IM OFF N GONE has hit her straps in Australia for Dean Braun and deserves her shot as well, while ROGUE WAVE put it to Ladies In Red at their last meeting on Vicbred night and has been best backed all week after opening up at $31.
It’s going to be an amazing couple of nights out of Tabcorp Park Melton and Sky Racing Active will have extended coverage both tonight and tomorrow.
Best of the weekend – R9 N5 Melton Saturday – Just Hope
Value of the weekend – R6 N4 Melton Saturday – Rock N Roll Doo
Brittany Graham is a regular host on Sky Racing and the Sky Racing Active app, plus In The Gig with Ben Way and Gareth Hall every Tuesday night on Sky Racing 2 from 6pm.
The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.
