Harness racing, like all sports, regularly seeks to service a colossal cross-section of vested interests and unique needs.

Try as they might, however, and its six centuries since these words were first uttered, you can’t please all the people all the time.

Much discourse this week has focused on the monumental number of Group 1 races staged in Australia and the prizemoney distribution bias favoring age-restricted horses.

Previously, participants have quarreled over the volume of Kiwi imports and whether those recruits are treated too kindly by our handicapping system. 

Each of these complex and contentious issues are part and parcel of tonight’s Tabcorp Park card. 
One thing, however, remains certain. 

Connections of those that prevail in either of the Group 1 Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic finals for two-year-old trotters tonight will not give a hoot. 

And nor will the owners, trainers and drivers of the many former Kiwi commodities tackling both the E K Bray Country Clubs Pace or the Country Clubs Championship Final.

In the first of those Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic features referenced above, we have an old-fashioned two-horse war on our hands. 

Given all 10 combatants qualified through the same heat we have complete clarity on the class disparity between Kyvalley Pierro, Plymouth Chub and the rest.

Despite going under in the aforementioned heat, Kyvalley Pierro is a dominant and well supported $1.45 favourite with TAB purely based on his barrier draw advantage; he will start from gate one, Plymouth Chubb from gate five.

Yes, draws decide markets, but they don’t always decide races and a rally back to Plymouth Chubb is likely.

The second juvenile trotting feature is far more challenging with five horses in single figures headed by the Geoff Webster trained-and-driven Aldebaran Misty.

>> READ MORE: Pete and Kez out to break Group 1 drought


BUSH poetry and horse racing share an inextricable link. 

And there’s something wonderfully poetic about this evening’s Vulcan Trotters Free For All at Tabcorp Park. 

Most promotion for the race will be targeted toward Tornado Valley as he continues his quest to breach the magical million-dollar mark in career earnings. 

But there’s a wonderful subplot at play. 

Among Tornado Valley’s rivals, indeed his biggest obvious threat, is a horse called Sparkling Success. 

Before Tornado Valley took over as Australia’s premier trotter, that title belonged to John Meade’s fellow Great Southern Star champion. 

Sadly, neither horse has ever faced the other at their best. If we’re being honest, they won’t tonight either. 

But like two aging heavyweight pugilists far close to the finish of their careers than the start, they’ll pull the gloves on one more time, standing toe-to-toe. 

Importantly, it will also be under conditions giving both great warriors a realistic shot at success. 

GET THE GOOD OIL:

>> Jason Bonnington's Good Form Game Plan for Tabcorp Park Melton tonight

>> Friday Form Panel: Bon and Skeet keen on Hezacrocwatcher

 

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.