It’s been a season packed with jaw-dropping performances, unforgettable victories, and rising stars that have thrilled racegoers across the state.

With the 2024 Victorian Harness Racing Awards night fast approaching, here are my top five standout contenders for the coveted Victorian Horse of the Year title.

Whether it’s their grit, dominance or the stories behind them, these horses have captured my attention and they’ll no doubt stir up discussion ahead of the big night.

Just Believe: A Champ Chasing History

Trained by Jess Tubbs, Just Believe’s season was nothing short of legendary. With 14 wins and just shy of $1 million in earnings, he added five Group 1 trophies to his cabinet – New Zealand’s Rowe Cup, Dominion Trot and National Trot, along with the Bill Collins Sprint and Trotting Grand Prix. He also placed in two other elite events.

He stands alongside greats like Maoris Idol, True Roman, Noopy Kiosk, Sundons Gift, Tornado Valley and Majestuoso as trotting winners of the Victorian Horse of the Year title. A win this time will see him create history as the first ever trotter to be a two-time recipient of the award.

Catch A Wave: Tex and The West

Trained by Andy Gath and driven by wife Kate, Catch A Wave has earned a cult following thanks to his thrilling finishes and raw speed. “Tex” won four races, including three at Group 1 level, and amassed over $800,000 this season.

His biggest moments included victories in The Nullarbor, the Fremantle Pacing Cup, and the Len Smith Mile, cementing his status as one of the nation's elite pacers.

Incredibly, a win would make him Andy Gath’s 5th Victorian Horse of the Year title winner.

Keayang Zahara: The Unbeaten Prodigy

Perfection has a name – and it’s Keayang Zahara. The juvenile filly, trained by Marg and Paddy Lee, delivered a flawless 14-from-14 season, racking up seven Group 1 titles and over $660,000 in prizemoney.

Her dominance across the NZ Trotting Derby and Oaks, the Victorian and NSW Trotters derbies, and both states' Oaks was unprecedented. If she wins, she’ll become the first juvenile trotter to claim the top honour.

Bay Of Biscay: The Derby Warrior

Trained by Emma Stewart, Bay Of Biscay has had a campaign of consistency and class. With five wins and more than $600,000 in prizemoney, he captured the Nutrien Equine Classic Final, a heat of the NSW Derby, and ran second in four other major races – the NSW and Queensland Derby Finals, the TAB Eureka, and the Breeders Crown Final.

Bay Of Biscay showed up in the biggest moments and was a true star among the three-year-old ranks.

The Locomotive: The Powerhouse Trotter

They don’t come much tougher – or faster - than The Locomotive. Winning the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final and the $150,000 TAB Inter Dominion Trotters Final at Menangle which included an 8-win streak, this powerhouse proved his class on every stage.

While he only raced in Victoria twice for Wayne Potter, his sheer dominance and the sentiment surrounding his rise through the ranks make him a compelling and deserving contender.

Guests can expect a night of celebration and recognition of the remarkable achievements across the harness racing season.

Tickets are now available for the 2024 Victorian Harness Racing Awards at Melton Entertainment Park on Monday, May 26.

For more details and to purchase tickets click here.