Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has confirmed the field for this Saturday night’s Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup.
A list of 24 nominations was whittled down to reach a final field of 12, which will vie for victory in the Grand Circuit classic this weekend in Bendigo.
King Of Swing (trained by Belinda McCarthy) and Majestic Cruiser (Jason Grimson) are the two New South Wales-based horses to gain a start in the $300,000 feature, where they will be joined by Victorian-prepared rivals Amazing Dream (Nathan Purdon), General Dodge (Mick Chircop), Mach Dan (Emma Stewart), Malcolms Rhythm (David Aiken), Max Delight (David Aiken), Out To Play (Emma Stewart), Pacifico Dream (Andy Gath), Torrid Saint (Julie Douglas), Triple Eight (Jess Tubbs) and Wolf Stride (Andy Gath).
Western Sonador, who is trained in partnership by Rebecca Bartley and Stephen O’Donoghue, has been named the emergency.
The all-important barrier draw for the race will be conducted tonight at a special 7pm production on TrotsVision, with Jason Bonnington and Nikkita Ross to host the coverage.
HRV handicappers have also released the field for the Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint, which is one of four Group 1s on Saturday night’s card.
The 10-horse field includes: Aldebaran Crescent (David Aiken), Aldebaran Tess (Matthew Craven), Im Ready Jet (Anton Golino), Majestuoso (Andy Gath), Maori Law (Emmett and Richard Brosnan), Mclovin (Andy Gath), Nephew Of Sonoko (Leigh Graham), Pink Galahs (Matthew Craven), Sleepee (Alison Alford) and Sundons Courage (Chris Angove).
Margaret Ruth, trained by Anne-Maree Conroy, is the emergency.
Tonight’s hour-long TrotsVision special will include the draws for all Group 1 events – including the Lather Up Victoria Derby and Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Oaks – as well as form analysts’ first reactions, TAB.com.au markets and the first word from key participants.