The PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup has drawn a Group 1 field worthy of the occasion, and the barrier draw has only added spice to the mix.
Let's take a closer look at the 12 that will step on to Bray Raceway tonight, including Jason Bonnington's runner-by-runner comment on who he thinks can rise to the occasion.
Then be sure to tune into TrotsVision.com.au from 6pm tonight, when Nikkita Ross, Rob Auber, Steve Cleave and Gareth Hall will join Dan Mielicki for one of the great night's of Australian trots.
1 SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS
RECORD: 35: 15-6-3
STAKES WON: $239,597
AUS GROUP 1s: 4: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 0: 0-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 4: 2-0-0
GATE WIN %: 12.22%
TRAINER: Belinda McCarthy
DRIVER: Jack Callaghan (Aus G1s: 16: 1-3-2)
“Quality NSW invader looking for an epic clean sweep of Victoria’s January Country Cups. Gate one looks perfect on paper but what happens in the formative furlong will decide his chances tonight.”
2) LOCHINVAR ART
RECORD: 51: 28-15-5
STAKES WON: $1,377,456
AUS GROUP 1s: 15: 7-4-2
AT TRACK: 4: 1-1-2
AUS 2501 METRES+: 8: 4-2-0
GATE WIN %: 12.55%
TRAINER: David Moran
DRIVER: David Moran (Aus G1s: 75: 17-12-7)
“Champion pacer who raced out of his skin first-up for almost a year last weekend. He should find the front at some stage but has proven in multiple prior Group 1 successes he can dominate regardless.”
3) MAX DELIGHT
RECORD: 53: 21-5-9
STAKES WON: $706,790
AUS GROUP 1s: 13: 3-0-2
AT TRACK: 2: 1-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 2: 1-0-0
GATE WIN %: 12.32%
TRAINER: David Aiken
DRIVER: Chris Alford (Aus G1s: 753: 124-101-81)
“One of only three Grand Circuit winners engaged, his chances will live and die as the mobile rolls. Should he cross and trail the favourite anything can happen. If his bid is thwarted, he’s in real bother.”
4) MACH DA VINCI
RECORD: 61: 16-11-5
STAKES WON: $245,063
AUS GROUP 1s: 4: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 1: 0-1-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 8: 0-1-0
GATE WIN %: 13.43%
TRAINER: Peter Hanson
DRIVER: Josh Dickie (Aus G1s: 14: 4-4-1)
“Talented visitor that went well below expectations in last week’s Shepparton Gold Cup. Bouncing back from runs like that is tough in any grade but particularly when tackling the elite in a race like this.”
5) DEMON DELIGHT
RECORD: 28: 11-6-0
STAKES WON: $192,470
AUS GROUP 1s: 7: 0-1-0
AT TRACK: 5: 2-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 2: 0-0-0
GATE WIN %: 13.65%
TRAINER: Emma Stewart
DRIVER: Jodi Quinlan (Aus G1s: 252: 16-25-30)
“There was a lot to like about this one-time emerging star’s Bendigo Cup effort at his first run back with Emma Stewart. Despite that he stills seems outclassed in an even stronger event from a sticky gate.”
6) SUPREME DOMINATOR
RECORD: 51: 13-12-8
STAKES WON: $270,407
AUS GROUP 1s: 1: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 2: 1-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 2: 1-0-0
GATE WIN %: 13.57%
TRAINER: Joe Pace
DRIVER: James Herbertson (Aus G1s: 46: 2-6-2)
“Draws at the elite level are everything for this vastly improved pacer. If he landed the pole, as he did when winning the Cranbourne Cup, he could land the dais. From out here he’s in the lap of the Gods.”
7) TRIPLE EIGHT
RECORD: 75: 16-13-16
STAKES WON: $483,901
AUS GROUP 1s: 5: 1-1-0
AT TRACK: 0: 0-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 9: 1-1-0
GATE WIN %: 10.65%
TRAINER: Jess Tubbs
DRIVER: Greg Sugars (Aus G1s: 460: 48-49-51)
“Victoria Cup runner-up who bounced back well at Bendigo after failing in the Inter Dominion final. If he rolls forward early, then lands cover in transit, he’s one of few with the class to cause a major upset.”
8) TORRID SAINT
RECORD: 107: 14-18-12
STAKES WON: $232,680
AUS GROUP 1s: 3: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 9: 1-2-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 5: 0-0-1
GATE WIN %: 11.08%
TRAINER: Julie Douglas
DRIVER: Glenn Douglas (Aus G1s: 26: 1-1-0)
“Sit-sprint specialist with genuine turn of foot whose recent form suggests he’s not quite in the zone. The good news is he’ll receive his favoured economical trip, but sadly that won’t likely be enough.”
9) EXPENSIVE EGO
RECORD: 30: 21-4-1
STAKES WON: $762,317
AUS GROUP 1s: 10: 4-2-1
AT TRACK: 0: 0-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 2: 0-1-0
GATE WIN %: 10.48%
TRAINER: Belinda McCarthy
DRIVER: Luke McCarthy (Aus G1s: 419: 72-49-52)
“If Lochinvar Art is the current day champion of Australasian pacing, he may be the waiting heir apparent. Wonderfully tough and freakishly fast, he’s the major danger here but he’ll need some luck.”
10) TANGO TARA
RECORD: 52: 11-14-7
STAKES WON: $223,900
AUS GROUP 1s: 0: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 2: 1-0-1
AUS 2501 METRES+: 4: 0-0-2
GATE WIN %: 8.57%
TRAINER: Andy Gath
DRIVER: Kate Gath (Aus G1s: 268: 41-43-40)
“Forget his last start effort as he had no fortune. Even with that caveat, he’s one of several runners tonight that live somewhere just beneath Grand Circuit standard and the second-line alley also doesn’t help.”
11) AMAZING DREAM
RECORD: 46: 24-9-8
STAKES WON: $1,398,260
AUS GROUP 1s: 5: 3-0-1
AT TRACK: 0: 0-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 5: 3-2-0
GATE WIN %: 8.18%
TRAINER: Nathan Purdon
DRIVER: Anthony Butt (Aus G1s: 370: 65-50-45)
“Megastar mare who is arguably well placed from this second-row gate given her CV says she’s better off the pace. Reeling in the stars to whom she’ll spot a start won’t be easy, but she’s done it before.”
12) OUR UNCLE SAM
RECORD: 116: 24-18-9
STAKES WON: $702,859
AUS GROUP 1s: 16: 2-4-0
AT TRACK: 5: 0-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 23: 2-6-2
GATE WIN %: 11.32%
TRAINER: Chris Frisby
DRIVER: Anthony Frisby (Aus G1s: 37: 2-5-3)
“One of Australian harness racing’s great modern warriors. It wouldn’t surprise to see him finish in the first half of the field tonight, but any greater aspirations probably aren’t realistic from this draw.”
13) LIKE A WILDFIRE (EM)
RECORD: 43: 15-11-4
STAKES WON: $141,839
AUS GROUP 1s: 0: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 2: 1-0-0
AUS 2501 METRES+: 5: 1-2-1
GATE WIN %: 5.26%
TRAINER: Emma Stewart
DRIVER: Leigh Sutton (Aus G1s: 27: 1-0-3)
TAB FIXED ODDS: SCR
READ MORE:
> Goodform Gameplan: Ballarat Saturday January 22
> Supreme Dominator finally starting to live up to name
> Mielicki ready to share in the Glory of the trots summer
> No room for sentiment as McCarthy plots Arty's demise
> Brosnans thankful for ID triumph as Maori set for next mission
> After lean years will the Demon Delight continue on Cup night?
> Graham: Group 1 racing in great states as best battle in east and west