It’s Sportsbet Victoria Cup weekend, and Bronte Nieuwenburg has taken a deep dive into the brilliant Saturday night meeting at Melton, featuring five Group 1 races. Using stats and sectional times, she breaks down the key runners.
From the quickest beginners to the fastest swoopers and top overall performers, here’s a look at the standouts in each race, with a focus on horse, race, map and track stats.
R1 – 6.28pm – City Of Melton Free For All – 2240m
Best gate speed: #5 Louie Lou I
Best rated sectionally: #11 Mach Dan
Fastest swooper: #11 Mach Dan
Fastest quarter: #10 Triple Eight
Bronte’s best: #11 Mach Dan
(NOTE: Mach Dan is first-up in 226 days)
R2 – 6.59pm – Irt Shakamaker 2yo Classic – 1720m
Best gate speed: #2 Soho Majestic
Best rated sectionally: #6 Soho Park Avenue
Fastest swooper: #6 Soho Park Avenue
Fastest quarter: #6 Soho Park Avenue
Bronte’s best: #6 Soho Park Avenue
(NOTE: Limited data on Bettorleftalone with one career performance and there is a first starter with no data #5 Most Exciting)
R3 – 7.30pm – Prydes Easifeed Victoria Oaks Final (Group 1) – 2760m
Best gate speed: #1 My Little Bo
Best rated sectionally: #9 Soho Americano
Fastest swooper: #9 Soho Americano
Fastest quarter: #9 Soho Americano
Bronte’s best: #2 Soap And Bubbles
R4 – 8.10pm – Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint (Group 1) – 1720m
Best gate speed: #4 Keayang Zahara
Best rated sectionally: #2 Jilliby Ballerini
Fastest swooper: #2 Jilliby Ballerini
Fastest quarter: #2 Jilliby Ballerini
Bronte’s best: #4 Keayang Zahara
NOTE: Keayang Zahara’s best gate speed performance came from her run two starts back at Menangle. It was above average for her and her gate speed is typically a few lengths slower than that as she’s not often pushed early.
R5 – 8.47pm – Woodlands Stud Victoria Derby Final (Group 1) – 2760m
Best gate speed: #2 Our Sweet Delight
Best rated sectionally: #1 Fox Dan
Fastest swooper: #11 Fate Awaits
Fastest quarter: #3 Sanchez
Bronte’s best: #1 Fox Dan
R6 – 9.22pm – Sportsbet Victoria Cup (Group 1) – 2240m
Best gate speed: #2 Hi Manameisjeff
Best rated sectionally: #4 Kingman
Fastest swooper: #1 Catch A Wave
Fastest quarter: #1 Catch A Wave
Bronte’s best: #8 Leap To Fame
R7 – 9.54pm – Renown Silverware Victoria Trotters Oaks (Group 1) – 2240m
Best gate speed: #1 Gatesys Gem
Best rated sectionally: #3 Tracy The Jet
Fastest swooper: #1 Gatesys Gem
Fastest quarter: #1 Gatesys Gem
Bronte’s best: #3 Tracy The Jet
R8 – 10.24pm – Hertz Melton Ladyship Cup (Group 3) – 1720m
Best gate speed: #1 Surfingmakescents
Best rated sectionally: #7 Kiss
Fastest swooper: #7 Kiss
Fastest quarter: #7 Kiss
Bronte’s best: #7 Kiss
NOTE: #2 Delightful Star now in the care of trainer Jason Grimson.
R9 – 10.53pm – Australian Pacing Gold Pace – 1720m
Best gate speed: #1 My Uncle Stan
Best rated sectionally: #3 Miki Cohen
Fastest swooper: #7 No Notthebuttons
Fastest quarter: #3 Miki Cohen
Bronte’s best: #3 Miki Cohen
Note: Sectional data is based on each horse’s recent performances. The runner with the fastest gate speed doesn’t necessarily mean it will lead.
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
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