Reigning Victorian Horse of the Year Majestuoso is a surprise starter in Saturday night’s Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star while champion trotter Just Believe has a wide back row heat draw to overcome in his quest to win back-to-back crowns.
They’re among the big takeaways from this morning’s GSS field reveal, which was conducted live on Sky Racing’s The Morning Line program.
Majestuoso has not raced since February last year due to injury, but will start from gate six in the first of two qualifiers on Saturday night.
The 2022 GSS champion will tackle the likes of French import Callmethebreeze (two), the exciting Hesallmuscle (three) and Inter Dominion placegetter Mufasa Metro (five).
Just Believe will begin from barrier nine in the second heat, which includes Maori Mile victor Arcee Phoenix (three), star mares Queen Elida (four) and Im Ready Jet (five), and Chris Lang’s gun Ollivici (six).
The first three placegetters in each 1720m heat qualify for the Group 1 final, with the remaining four runners in the $300,000 decider – to be held later on the same Melton card – decided on gross time.
Following the release of heat fields, the TAB installed Just Believe a $1.50 overall favourite for the final ahead of Callmethebreeze ($4.80) and Arcee Phoenix ($7.50).
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The Great Southern Star is one of the major highlights on Saturday night’s stacked meeting at Melton Entertainment Park, which also includes the SENTrack A G Hunter Cup.
The field for that race was announced on Monday, with the barrier draw conducted this morning.