For many trots fans winter can be the season of unrivalled content.

It is the home of the Vicbred Super Series, for so long  a land of opportunity for trainers like Terang's prolific Group 1 winner Marg Lee.

“It’s a great series, that’s why we keep paying up,” Lee said.

VSS kicks off with a bang in June, with the Empire Stallions pacing heats beginning on June 19 at Bendigo and the Aldebaran Park trotting heats launching at Maryborough on June 25. Qualifications continue at Kilmore, Bendigo and Geelong before semi-finals at Tabcorp Park Melton on June 29.

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The climax will be also at Victoria’s home of harness racing, with the series capped off by two spectacular nights of racing featuring the Aldebaran Park trotting finals on July 6 and Empire Stallions pacing finals on July 7.

Eligible horses will compete for rich prize money, reward for their loyalty to the Victorian breeding industry, and Lee will be among those hoping to claim a share of the spoils. Her team featured four runners in the finals of last years’ series, with Four Starzzz Shark colt Jilliby Kung Fu winning the three-year-old colts and geldings’ Group 1.

Since that victory Jilliby Kung Fu has gone from strength to strength, with a sensational win in the Group 1 Chariots of Fire at Menangle followed by a close second in the Miracle Mile at the same track a fortnight later.

After a break, Jilliby Kung Fu is gearing up for the four-year-old entires and geldings series and Lee said she was happy with how the colt was travelling, with a trial not far off at the time of writing.

He will be surrounded by familiar faces in the Vicbred Super Series, with Lee also preparing Jilliby Chevy, Jilliby Road Runner and Jilliby Mako in the four-year-old entires and geldings’ division.

Art Major filly Jilliby Madonna will contest the three-year-olds and Keayang Da Vinci the four-year-old mares, in what could be another super series for the stable.

"You have to plan for everything to go right over the three weeks, especially with the different tracks," Lee said. "It can be tiring, but worth it.”

Jilliby Kung Fu is not the only Vicbred alumna to use the prized sires series as a stepping stone to greater things.

Last year’s four-year-old entires and geldings’ winner Soho Tribeca — a striking son of American Ideal — built a spectacular five-year-old season.

That included  two Perth Inter Dominion heat wins, victories in the WA Pacing Cup and Jet Roofing  Kilmore Cup along with outstanding Group 1 placings in the Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup, Allied Express Sprint and Miracle Mile.

Without a doubt, stars of Australian trots both present and future will be shining brightly during the Vicbred Super Series in June and July.

LUCY MCCORMICK WRITES FOR THE HARNESS RACER. GET 6 ISSUES IN YOUR MAILBOX FOR JUST  $45. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Email your details to info@hrv.org.au