An extraordinary fleet will front the gate tonight in pursuit of a place in the final of the What The Hill Great Southern Star.
Let's take a close look at those who dare to dream of capturing Australia's greatest trotting crown in tonight's $300,000 final at 10.32pm.
HEAT ONE: $50,000, Race 3, 7.33pm
(Analysis by Jason Bonnington)
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1 TORNADO VALLEY
Record: 109 39-17-15
Stakes won: $1,018,477
Aus Group 1s: 16: 9-2-1
At track: 35: 23-3-2
Track/distance: 9: 6-0-1
Trainer: Andy Gath
Driver: Kate Gath (Aus G1: 270: 42-43-40)
TAB fixed odds: $3
“Living legend of southern hemisphere squaregaiting on path to claim his third straight Great Southern Star. Pole draw in easier heat will assist that bid. Now it’s whether he still has the speed he once possessed.”
2 LOTAMUSCLE
Record: 36: 7-7-2
Stakes won: $142,522
Aus Group 1s: 2: 0-0-0
At track: 6: 1-1-0
Track/distance: 0: 0-0-0
Trainer: Matthew Craven
Driver: Matthew Craven (Aus G1: 92: 9-5-10)
TAB fixed odds: $5
“Former Kiwi speed freak who’s unbeaten in two sprint-trip starts, including an Inter Dominion heat at Bathurst late last year. If he can find room to trail Tornado Valley that’s his chance of striking a blow.”
3 SUNDONS COURAGE
Record: 125: 23-18-12
Stakes won: $366,155
Aus Group 1s: 23: 1-4-1
At track: 64: 10-9-7
Track/distance: 15: 1-4-1
Trainer: Chris Angove
Driver: James Herbertson (Aus G1: 48: 2-6-2)
TAB fixed odds: $12
“Amazingly durable horse who was among the best of his generation at two and continues to thrive at nine. Despite finding it tough to win of late he is fairly flying. With a little fortune he’s a real threat.”
4 WOBELEE
Record: 56: 24-14-5
Stakes won: $447,329
Aus Group 1s: 13: 5-2-1
At track: 29: 11-9-2
Track/distance: 8: 5-0-1
Trainer: Alison Alford
Driver: Chris Alford (Aus G1: 756: 124-102-82
TAB fixed odds: $5.50
“One-time juvenile megastar building back to something when the breaks all go his way. Tonight’s heat draw is sticky but if he makes it through to final he’ll just need a gate. Do not disrespect.”
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5 ALWAYS READY
Record: 34: 15-6-1
Stakes won: $256,220
Aus Group 1s: 9: 2-4-1
At track: 19: 8-3-1
Track/distance: 4: 1-1-0
Trainer: Anton Golino
Driver: Nathan Jack (Aus G1: 229: 17-28-24)
TAB fixed odds: $5.50
“Age-restricted star who announced his intentions for this series with a monster trial triumph and a massive run last week. Watch him at the start as 12 of his 15 wins have come when he’s in front.”
6 HATCHBACK (EMG)
Record: 54: 8-16-10
Stakes won: $109,260
Aus Group 1s: 3: 0-1-0
At track: 5: 1-1-3
Track/distance: 24: 4-9-5
Trainer: John Justice
Driver: John Justice (Aus G1: 112: 13-10-10)
TAB fixed odds: $101
“Really nice trotter though the draw would be an issue even if he got a start.”
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7 TOUGH MONARCH
Record: 96: 32-6-12
Stakes won: $541,094
Aus Group 1s: 21: 2-1-3
At track: 24: 5-1-4
Track/distance: 7: 2-1-1
Trainer: Rickie Alchin
Driver: Anthony Butt (Aus G1: 373: 65-51-45)
TAB fixed odds: $34
“Grand old warrior who has prevailed at Group 1 level on this circuit. The good news is he starts a little faster drawn out wide. The bad news is his veteran legs have lost some needed speed.”
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8 RULES DONT APPLY
Record: 22: 8-3-0
Stakes won: $106,340
Aus Group 1s: 5: 1-1-0
At track: 9: 2-1-0
Track/distance: 2: 0-1-0
Trainer: Anthony Crossland
Driver: Anthony Crossland (Aus G1: 32: 4-3-4)
TAB fixed odds: $5
“Quirky but seriously gifted newcomer at this level of racing. If he holds the back of Tornado Valley, he can win this heat and play a role in final. That is all dependent on him being in the mood.”
9 CALIGULA
Record: 51: 16-4-6
Stakes won: $143,383
Aus Group 1s: 3: 0-0-0
At track: 1: 0-0-0
Track/distance: 0: 0-0-0
Trainer: Blake Fitzpatrick
Driver: Greg Sugars (Aus G1: 462: 48-49-51)
TAB fixed odds: $41
“Specialist Menangle miler who would have played a major tactical role tonight had he drawn the front. Sadly, from this alley, he’ll need more than his fair share of luck just to qualify for final.”
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10 VACATION HILL
Record: 29: 7-6-3
Stakes won: $108,258
Aus Group 1s: 0: 0-0-0
At track: 0: 0-0-0
Track/distance: 0: 0-0-0
Trainer: Andy Gath
Driver: Luke McCarthy (Aus G1: 420: 72-49-52)
TAB fixed odds: $7.50
“Highly rated Kiwi mare who proved what she’s capable of when demolishing an easier field at her second Aussie start last weekend. Impressive as that was, this alley makes her task enormous.”
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11 KEAYANG LIVANA
Record: 28: 12-3-3
Stakes won: $167,770
Aus Group 1s: 1: 1-0-0
At track: 8: 5-2-0
Track/distance: 1: 1-0-0
Trainer: Marg Lee
Driver: Glen Craven (Aus G1: 100: 8-13-10)
TAB fixed odds: $17
“Perhaps the trickiest runner to assess in the series. On her night this mare is capable of matching it with anyone. Lack of hard racing, however, and a nasty draw play heavily against her.”
HEAT TWO: $50,000, Race 4, 8.03pm
(Analysis by Jason Bonnington)
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1 IM READY JET
Record: 34: 16-5-3
Stakes won: $298,700
Aus Group 1s: 9: 4-1-2
At track: 11: 5-2-2
Track/distance: 2: 1-0-0
Trainer: Anton Golino
Driver: Jason Lee (Aus G1: 121: 15-15-11)
TAB fixed odds: $2.70
“One of the best trotting mares to race on Aussie soil and perfectly drawn for heat success tonight. If she trails Majestuoso in transit, as expected, we will know who the top seed is for the final after their heat.”
2 MAJESTUOSO
Record: 46: 22-6-8
Stakes won: $335,910
Aus Group 1s: 9: 3-1-4
At track: 17: 6-3-5
Track/distance: 2: 1-0-1
Trainer: Andy Gath
Driver: Kate Gath (Aus G1: 270: 42-43-40)
TAB fixed odds: $2.70
“There’s little doubt this diminutive package of power and pace is Australia’s finest trotter. He’ll be challenged early here but should retain the front. If he handles the heat and wins the final’s his to own.”
3 HATCHBACK (EMG)
Record: 54: 8-16-10
Stakes won: $109,260
Aus Group 1s: 3: 0-1-0
At track: 5: 1-1-3
Track/distance: 24: 4-9-5
Trainer: John Justice
Driver: John Justice (Aus G1: 112: 13-10-10)
TAB fixed odds: $101
“This heat’s even harder if he gets a call-up late.”
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4 THE PENNY DROPS
Record: 56: 15-9-7
Stakes won: $165,795
Aus Group 1s: 5: 0-0-0
At track: 10: 1-0-1
Track/distance: 4: 1-0-0
Trainer: Ray Harvey
Driver: Grant Campbell (Aus G1: 100: 4-5-5)
TAB fixed odds: $11
“With a larrikin hobbyist as his trainer and a penchant for drilling rivals into submission, this guy has no rival in popularity or charisma. Sadly, the short trip and a sticky gate look to have him covered.”
5 TEMPORALE
Record: 81: 25-17-12
Stakes won: $697,823
Aus Group 1s: 12: 1-3-5
At track: 10: 1-3-4
Track/distance: 0: 0-0-0
Trainer: Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett
Driver: Anthony Butt (Aus G1: 373: 65-51-45)
TAB fixed odds: $6.50
“Before last weekend’s abject failure, this Kiwi veteran had an awesome Aussie record. He had excuses in the flop but with no lead on offer it’s just hard to see him seriously bouncing back.”
6 ALDEBARAN CRESCENT
Record: 60: 12-6-9
Stakes won: $144,040
Aus Group 1s: 3: 0-1-0
At track: 19: 3-3-3
Track/distance: 5: 1-1-1
Trainer: David Aiken
Driver: Josh Aiken (Aus G1: 108: 10-4-3)
TAB fixed odds: $41
“She can mix it with anyone on her day and, from a better draw, may have been a player. With so much speed inside tonight, watch for her to go back, race quiet and look for massive luck.”
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7 ALDEBARAN REVANI
Record: 19: 8-2-2
Stakes won: $58,990
Aus Group 1s: 1: 0-0-0
At track: 1: 0-0-0
Track/distance: 0: 0-0-0
Trainer: Belinda McCarthy
Driver: Jack Callaghan (Aus G1: 17: 2-3-2)
TAB fixed odds: $17
“Former US mare who clearly seems the elephant in room. Nothing has gone right since coming to Victoria but, with her love of short trip racing and her early pace, wagering wariness is very strongly advised.”
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8 ILLAWONG STARDUST
Record: 33: 9-5-6
Stakes won: $124,580
Aus Group 1s: 8: 0-1-1
At track: 13: 2-1-4
Track/distance: 2: 0-0-0
Trainer: Tony Peacock
Driver: Brian Gath (Aus G1: 182: 23-16-20)
TAB fixed odds: $9
“All indications suggest this mare, to be steered by living legend Brian Gath, loves as easy trip. And she’ll get just that tonight. She won’t be winning the heat but she’s a massive chance of making the final.”
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9 MAJESTIC MAN
Record: 70: 19-21-9
Stakes won: $636,930
Aus Group 1s: 8: 3-2-1
At track: 6: 2-1-1
Track/distance: 2: 0-1-1
Trainer: Phil Williamson
Driver: Anthony Butt (Aus G1: 373: 65-51-45)
TAB fixed odds: $9
“At his best, this star Kiwi looms as the greatest danger to cause an upset in this heat. His form, however, suggests he’s not quite there right now. He also dropped a cog from heat to final here last year.”
10 QUEEN OF CRIME
Record: 29: 6-7-4
Stakes won: $112,495
Aus Group 1s: 4: 1-1-1
At track: 11: 3-3-2
Track/distance: 1: 1-0-0
Trainer: Matthew Craven
Driver: Glen Craven (Aus G1: 100: 8-13-10)
TAB fixed odds: $51
“If points were given for most improved, this recent Group 1 winner would be in this up to her ears. Unfortunately, they’re not and from the shocking alley she has plenty up against her.”
11 POWDERKEG
Record: 48: 10-10-6
Stakes won: $171,306
Aus Group 1s: 7: 1-1-1
At track: 15: 3-2-1
Track/distance: 1: 0-0-0
Trainer: Lisa Miles
Driver: Lisa Miles (Aus G1: 87: 8-5-8)
TAB fixed odds: $51
“Recently, this rising star has shown glimmers of being a genuine Group 1 player. Nevertheless, he remains short of being the complete package and in a series of this nature there’s nowhere to hide.”
Join Sky Racing’s harness team of Brittany Graham and Gareth Hall, alongside trots form expert Steve Cleave for live and extended coverage from Tabcorp Park Melton this Friday and Saturday night. Featuring interviews with the key players, detailed pre-race analysis along with all the colour and excitement of the Great Southern Star and A.G. Hunter Cup nights. Download the Sky Racing Active App from the App or Play Store today.
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