SPORTS broadcasters, particularly those covering team sports encompassing long, sometimes lacklustre seasons are often forced to manufacture narratives. 

It all becomes a little like world championship wrestling at times where fabricated rivalries and bogus beefs are promoted to whet the appetites of ravenous fans. 

Don’t get me wrong, it happens in racing too. 

Occasionally, however, this phony baloney is temporarily benched by a contest or conflict which simply speaks for itself. 

Tonight’s Garrards Maori’s Idol Free For All at royal Kilmore is one such skirmish. 

First, you have Cover Of Darkness; before being unexpectedly mown down at his most recent outing, Emma Stewart’s untapped talent was widely being hailed as trotting’s great bay hope. 

Then there’s Majestuoso. 

For some time, despite counting Tornado Valley and McLovin among his stable stars, Andy Gath has told anyone listening that Majestuoso was his golden goose. 

And the way he won first-up was a freakish fortification of just how good the speed machine might be. 

It doesn’t finish there either; splitting the pair, by draws at least, are Anton Golino’s tyrannical tag-team comprised by Im Ready Jet and Always Ready. 

Always Ready has already rolled Majestuoso on multiple occasions and there’s a growing belief he can lead despite his widest-front-line alley. 

Meanwhile, Im Ready Jet has been spruiked by Golino himself as having more organic talent than the utterly outstanding and recently retired multiple Group 1-winner Dance Craze. 

Adding to the intrigue is tonight’s short-course 1690m trip where tactics will play an almighty role and driver-instinct could decide the contest. 

In terms of established achievements, the Maori’s Idol wouldn’t rate among the finest squaregaiting contests of recent years. 

In terms of untapped talent and where the combatants have been ranked by their respective mentors, it’s almost unsurpassed. 

READ: JASON BONNINGTON'S GOOD FORM GAME PLAN FOR KILMORE TONIGHT

HARNESS racing may harbour fewer numerical fans than the thoroughbreds in this part of the world, but live Braveheart’s army, they punch well above their weight with regard to passion and zealotry. 

This is why Trots Vision, which broadcasts harness-only product via harness racing’s digital platforms, has developed such a devout audience. 

Headlined on Saturday nights by Rob Auber and Dan Mielicki, Trots Vision has seen a spike in patrons across recent weeks by welcoming trainers and drivers into the on-course coverage. 

With a captive constituency locked within four walls at present, however, they’re not stopping there. 

Tonight, at Kilmore, three new features will be unleashed to further engage current viewers while also inviting new fans to the fold. 

Popular punting guru Ben Krahe will add colour and content with late mail tips and market information via Microsoft Teams before each and every race. 

That same platform will also be utilised to garner more critical insight from competing participants than ever before. 

And, finally, a fun-based trivia element, Drivers In Movies, will also be included to keep fans guessing and grow the Trots Vision brand. 

CLICK: READ MORE ABOUT TONIGHT'S GREAT TROTS VISION COVERAGE

The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.