Punters are often pilloried by broader sections of society, but their passion for prognostication, if moderated, manifests certain life skills many more socially celebrated peers sorely lack. 

Firstly, there’s the religion of resilience. 

Few things will harden the human resolve than a string of sick beats or an unforeseen incident which precludes them from profiting when, practically and pragmatically, they should be better off. 

Secondly, there’s a certain respect and reverence for the unknown. 

In a world where scientific modelling is misinterpreted as fortified fact, punters know better than their brethren that life, and racing, can make a mighty fool of even the wisest theorist. 

Cumulatively, they, punters that is, will need all their weaponry and arsenal approaching night one of the Victoria Cup carnival, at Bendigo tonight. 

This evening, three qualifiers for the Lather Up Victoria Derby and two preliminaries for the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Oaks will be staged. 

Heat racing, by its very nature, is a landmine in waiting. 

At heat level, you see, winning is a bonus and qualification to compete on a much bigger stage next weekend is everything. 

And if that truth wasn’t confronting enough, most of the fillies, colts and geldings that flaunt their wares at Lords Raceway this evening, will be tackling those heats over an entirely foreign journey. 

Such is the emphasis on speed these days, in both equine codes, that the 2650m journey of this evening’s Oaks and Derby qualifiers will represent a new challenge for most combatants engaged. 

Many of those series’ stars, like Major Moth and Ladies In Red, are entering unknown territory. 

As are the punters supporting their causes. 

Ultimately, that means two things. 

If you’re smart enough and brave enough to identify a stone-cold stayer at odds, tonight’s your night to take a cheeky chance. 

And even if your cheeky chance fails, you’ll uncover certain secrets for next weekend simply by tuning in to TrotsVision and Sky Racing. 

Secrets which those that fly blind going forward will not comprehend. 

Unlike it’s cross-code compatriots, harness racing lives and dies on definitive tactical decisions. 

Yes, the spectre of speed maps matter in thoroughbred racing, and of course knowing which way certain greyhounds leave the lids is crucial to punting success. 

But not like the trots. 

In harness racing, knowing, or having insight, into who will lead and who will trail, who’ll make a mid-race move and who’ll be driven cold is critical to any and all investments. 

This is where Harness Racing Victoria’s digital offering ‘Burning Questions’ makes such a massive difference. 

This week, Andy Gath and Emma Stewart, offered their opinions on five key queries across tonight’s 11-race card and their views are available on Facebook and Twitter. 

Sadly, there was little consensus on tonight’s Group 2 TAB Smoken Up Sprint, but who leads from Bulletproof Boy or Torrid Saint, and whether either would hand to Max Delight will likely decide the race.

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.