March 2026 Monthly Update

The 48 stars of the track selected to vie for Victorian Horse of the Year honours have been revealed.

The curtain has been pulled to show the finalists ahead of the 2025 Victorian Harness Racing Awards Night at Melton on Sunday, March 22, when Horse of the Year honours will be announced in addition to the likes of the Gordon Rothacker Medal, Pearl Kelly Award, and Caduceus Club Living Legend.

Here are this year’s outstanding nominees for the Horse of the Year categories; congratulations to their connections.

Harness Racing Victoria's six-week Summer of Glory has been hailed a success, after elite Australasian pacers and trotters wowed race-goers throughout Victoria.

The insured bonuses were lauded for luring the top-tier talent, including Leap To Fame, who stepped out in the Shepparton (second), Ballarat (first), Cranbourne (first), and Kilmore (first) cups, before falling just a half-neck short of winning the $1 million insured pacers bonus in the Sportsbet A. G. Hunter Cup.

Keayang Zahara went one better, sweeping the rich Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star to claim the $500,000 insured trotters bonus after previously winning Bendigo's Maori Mile and the Ballarat and Cranbourne trotting cups.

The insured bonuses are credited for helping swell crowds and create broader interest. Each of the five regional pacing cups recorded higher wagering turnover than in their previous hosting, with the Kilmore and Cranbourne cups, new additions to the summer carnival, the strongest performers. While turnover on the A. G. Hunter Cup was down from the previous year, it still drew the fourth-highest turnover for a single race on record.

Leap To Fame’s older brother Swayzee upstaged him again in another epic Hunter Cup and denied him a $1 million bonus at Melton.
Just as he did last year, Swayzee used a better barrier draw to lead and fend-off Leap To Fame in a tight finish, with NZ’s best pacer, Republican Party, a close third. It was the same trifecta as last year.
Despite being headed off by Leap To Fame on the home turn, Swayzee’s driver Cam Hart never lost faith.
“When Leap To Fame only got a head in front, I knew my guy would kick-back like he always does,” he said. “Just when I thought I was holding Leap To Fame, I had to look back to the inside and fend off Republican Party.”
Despite racing in an era dominated by Leap To Fame, Swayzee has proven himself a champion stayer with two Hunter and two NZ Cup wins, along with a Victoria Cup and Blacks A Fake triumph.
“This sits right up with the best moments I’ve had,” Hart said. “Last year’s Hunter Cup was really special, but this was a stronger field again and had such a big build up."

A “crush” on champion pacer Leap To Fame has spurred top thoroughbred trainer Mick Price to give harness racing a crack.
Although he won’t be changing codes, Price was so impressed by his first look at Leap To Fame in the flesh at Melton that he went to Australian Gold Sales the next day and bought a yearling.
Price paid $18,000 for a colt by super sire Art Major out of Princess Sandel and declared it would join the stables of champion Victorian trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin.
“It’s all because I was at Melton on Saturday night, watched the great racing and got to see Leap To Fame close up,” he said.
“After the race I was lucky enough to spend 30 minutes with Grant Dixon’s wife, Trista, and watched Leap To Fame. We talked about heart rates and recoveries. I loved it.
“I’d been up since 3am for trackwork and Flemington all day and my eyes were hanging out of my head, but I’m so glad I went out there.
“I was just mesmerised by that horse, Leap To Fame. I know he didn’t win, but what a great run it was.
“I heard the sales were on the next day and said to Shona (Dreschler, partner), I wanted to buy one.”

There was as much relief as excitement when Keayang Zahara romped home and banked a $500,000 bonus in the Group 1 Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star.
Co-trainer Paddy Lee conceded it had been a stressful road to banking the bonus and landing the most significant win of his family’s career so far.
“That was a long six weeks,” he sighed. “I’m glad it’s over, and she got the job done.”
Keayang Zahara, who boasts 25 wins from 26 starts, set-up the bonus tilt by winning three key lead-up races, the Maori Mile, and the Ballarat and Cranbourne trotters’ cups. Along with the $500,000 bonus, she banked another $153,900 for her heat and final wins.

“She’s just a freak this mare, next level,” driver Jason Lee said. “Any queries I had about backing up for two runs in a night were gone as soon as I got out on the track to warm-up for the final."

Birchip Harness Racing Club rejigged the slot-race concept to true grassroots harness racing and came up a winner with its Running of the Bulls.

Marketed and targeted to perfection, the $125,000 feature created a buzz akin to an Inter Dominion Final despite being nowhere near a capital city and absent of the sport’s stars. This was a race for restricted class pacers, which gave ‘Joe Battler’ a genuine chance to compete.
In the end, the Running of the Bulls delivered more than it promised – a stellar crowd crammed into the venue, the atmosphere was electric and the race itself was a thrilling spectacle. And the exciting finish couldn’t have been better scripted, with Wicked Confession scoring by a head from Golden Tribe, with Sanchez a half-neck away third.
Unbeaten from three starts for trainer Alex Ashwood, Wicked Confession rated 1:58.3 over 2150 metres with James Herbertson in the cart. Topping off the amazing tale, the daughter of Mcwicked was only recently purchased by Tayla French for $3000.

“I noticed her a few weeks earlier and thought she seemed like a nice type, and then when she popped up for sale, I ‘ummed and ahhed’ but Alex said we should buy her and the rest is history,” French said.

“I never dreamed though she’d be winning a race like this. In fact, it was only when I worked her a few days before the race that I knew she should be in the race, before that I thought Gareth (Hall, slot holder manager) was crazy. All credit to Gareth, he had more faith in her than I did.”

Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) is pleased to announce a new collaboration with miStable, providing Victorian harness trainers with access to a leading communication and stable management platform designed specifically for the racing industry.
This initiative is focused on strengthening trainer–owner engagement, improving administrative efficiency, and supporting modern stable operations.
Ellie Edwards from miStable said the collaboration with HRV was “about empowering trainers and owners with smarter tools for today’s racing environment”.
“We’re delighted to offer a three-month free trial of miStable to help stables operate more efficiently and strengthen owner engagement,” she said.
Emmett Brosnan, President of the Victorian Drivers and Trainers Association, said the VDTA appreciated HRV’s proactive effort in securing an extended trial for trainers.
“In today’s environment, clear and consistent communication with owners is critical, and tools that make stable management more efficient are welcome,” Brosnan said.

The Vicbred Voucher is a $2.75 million ownership and breeding celebration, which awards $5000 vouchers on select races from September 2025 until November 2026, thanks to the State Government's Victorian Racing Industry Fund.

Pacers:
Mar 14 @ Melton: Mares up to 80

Mar 16 @ Maryborough: 2YO 1 LTW

Mar 21 @ Melton: 80-89

Mar 24 @ Shepparton: Up to 49

Mar 26 @ Kilmore: 4YO+ maiden

Mar 27 @ Terang: 56-64

Mar 31 @ Swan Hill: Mares up to 50

Apr 2 @ Kilmore: 3YO Maiden
Apr 8 @ Bendigo: 2-3 LTW
Apr 9 @ Ballarat: Mares up to 55
Apr 11 @ Mildura: Maiden
Apr 13 @ Hamilton: Maiden
Apr 15 @ Bendigo: 3YO Maiden
Apr 18 @ Melton: 78-89
Apr 19 @ Charlton: 53-58
Apr 25 @ Melton: Mares up to 75
Apr 27 @ Ararat: Maiden

Trotters:
Mar 19 @ Ballarat: Maiden

Mar 20 @ Melton: 3YO maiden

Mar 20 @ Maryborough: 2YO 1LTW 

Apr 1 @ Bendigo: Mares up to 45
Apr 4 @ Melton: 60-69
Apr 10 @ Maryborough: Mares up to 55
Apr 17 @ Geelong: 52-56
Apr 22 @ Bendigo: 56-64
Apr 28 @ Shepparton: 30+ SS

For a full list of Vicbred Voucher race dates CLICK HERE.

Harness Racing Victoria has amended its racing guidelines regarding horses that are stood down in an effort to maximise starters.
Based on industry feedback, horses that have been stood down can nominate and accept into another race if they trial successfully before the race day.
Horses currently stood down will only gain a start if the field hasn’t been filled by horses not stood down at acceptance time.
Accordingly, the guidelines below have been updated and are effective immediately.
11.4.1 – Where a horse is barred from racing, it may be included in acceptances for a race meeting if the trainer notifies HRV Racing Department where the horse will be trialling prior to race meeting.
11.4.2 If the requirements of Clause 11.4.1 are not satisfied, the horse shall be withdrawn and shall be ineligible to race at that meeting.
11.4.3 – At the time of acceptances, any horse subject to a bar under Clause 11.4.1 cannot gain a start ahead of any other horse not currently stood down.
11.7 – At the time of nomination, any horse subject to Clause 11.4.1 may, at the discretion of the HRV Racing Department, be excluded from the calculation of the minimum or required number of horses necessary for a race or race meeting to proceed in accordance with Clauses 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 of the Racing Guidelines.

To contact the Racing office, call 03 8378 0291 from 7.30 am-3.30 pm on weekdays or 8-9 am on weekends and public holidays, or email racing@hrv.org.au. For late scratchings or driver changes out of hours, leave a message on 03 9214 0650. 

VICBRED: Should you still want to make your horse Vicbred eligible please call HRV Customer Service 03 8378 0200 or email info@hrv.org.au. Payment will be required upfront with no invoicing and fees will increase as the year progresses. Further information will be updated on Vicbred - The Trots.

NEW LICENCE PORTAL: A new licence portal is in Harnessweb. The portal enables applicants to apply for license upgrades and downgrades, submit new applications, upload all required documents, answer questions, and provide declaration forms. Communications have been sent regarding the new process. More details are available at Licensing - The Trots. 

RENEWALS: Unlicensed participants from last season are advised that the renewal period has closed and that a new application must be submitted. The new licence portal on Harnessweb is available to complete a new application, which will only be accepted through this portal. HRV's online compliance courses in the Safetrac Portal must be completed with any application.

REGISTRATIONS:

FOAL NOTIFICATIONS: Online foal notifications are available through Harnessweb for services in the '24/25 breeding season. For a live foal, please ensure this is actioned within three weeks from the foaling date to avoid late penalties. HRV customer service will communicate monthly to participants who have mares to Victorian stallions but have not notified the result of the service. A reminder, all services must be submitted regardless of the outcome. We are asking for your assistance on this. More details can be found at Foal Notifications & Microchipping - The Trots, including a foal notification form if required to download.

MICROCHIPPING
Microchip packs will be dispersed within days of the live foal notification submission. The packs will be sent to the location where the foal is residing. Please ensure that if you are engaging your own vet, they scan the code found on the microchipping guidelines to register as an HRV-approved vet. This code is sent in with the package or via website at Foal Notifications & Microchipping - The Trots. This must be done prior to visiting your property to microchip your foal. Note: HRV will send microchipping rebates ($250) in bulk to breeders monthly, starting at the end of January. DNA verification is required for a rebate to be sent and for a foal notification through Victoria to be eligible for the rebate. More details and all FAQs can be found at Foal Notifications & Microchipping - The Trots.

REGISTRATION FORMS
A reminder that from July 1, 2025, the following transactions must be completed online through HarnessWeb: foal notifications, namings, transfers of ownership, licence applications including renewals, leases, deregistration/death of horses, and split prizemoney payments.

ACCOUNTS:
SPLIT PRIZEMONEY PAYMENTS
Split prizemoney payments are available for managing owners of partnerships to set up via HarnessWeb, with stake money distributions split to all members, including futurity win bonuses and participant-incentive bonuses. To be eligible, owners must have HarnessWeb accounts populated with up-to-date email addresses and Australian/International bank account details. More details are available at Split Prizemoney Payments - The Trots.

The terrific young ponies and talented drivers have been tearing up the track. Here are some of the most recent winners.

Final: 1st - Freaky Fran, driven by Katie Thomson; 2nd - Minnie, driven by Madeline Welch; 3rd - Burnaholeinmybucket, driven by Amelia Hodgson.

Prelude: 1st - Whinnie Houston, driven by Ella Moran; 2nd - Minnie, driven by Madeline Welch; 3rd - Burnaholeinmybucket, driven by Amelia Hodgson.

1st - Minnie, driven by Madeline Welch; 2nd - Casper, driven by Shaniya Darmanin; 3rd - Burnaholeinmybucket, driven by Amelia Hodgson.

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