If you haven’t been watching closely, here’s a newsflash.
Harness Racing Victoria is quite enamoured with their recent development of six-furlong races and there’s many more to come.
For the first time in this scribe’s memory, Melton will stage not one, but two competitive contests over the once reviled and now emphatically embraced 1200m trip.
And as we witness the growth and evolution of this sleeping giant concept, one early oddity stands out above all others.
Back in the days of the once annual Stampede – which was also staged over harness racing’s extreme short-course journey – those wishing to compete were blazing beginners with sizzling speed to burn.
Tonight’s two contests over 1200m symbolize either a philosophical revolution or a subtle shift in how trainers plan to pillage their riches.
Let’s start with the earlier, and stronger, of this evening’s six-furlong spectacles.
Only one of the eight likely starters, Ghost Of Time, is known for his early brilliance and passion for leading at all costs.
Ignoring former Kiwi commodity, Winegum, given gate speed in New Zealand bears little resemblance to our own, the remaining seven runners have – cumulatively – led just eight times in their 87 starts on Australian soil.
Essentially, all are suited to sit-sprint racing patterns by their very nature.
Now, for the second, and weaker, 1200m event of the evening; the programme’s final contest.
The aggregate statistic here tells us that of the eight pacers engaged, leading has been the ultimate outcome in just 13 of their past 160 outings.
What all of this means is anyone’s guess.
One thing, however, seems certain.
Whatever you thought these mad dashes were, there’s every chance you were wrong.
And what they’ll become is even more perplexing again.
Fitness versus class - it’s an age-old racing conundrum.
Anybody that’s wagered on the Victorian or New South Wales thoroughbreds through August and early September will comprehend this quandary all too well.
We’ve all balanced the merits of winter warriors against returning stars, and – often – we’ve pulled the wrong rein.
It doesn’t need to be August however, and it doesn’t require thoroughbreds, this perplexing puzzle permeates all forms of racing, all year round.
Take tonight’s Tiger Tara Free For All at Melton Park.
On one hand, you have Cheyella, well into her campaign and building strength as she goes, along with Tango Tara and Code Bailey, both third-up with cobwebs removed and clearly on the up.
Code Bailey, in fact, is third-up off the back of a last-start triumph after two years off the track.
Then you have Sebs Choice and Max Delight, both fresh off a spell.
Sebs Choice has early speed, an ideal draw, and has also trialled well for his return.
Max Delight is a Grand Circuit winner with all the weaponry he needs when required.
Anything could happen, but here’s some advice.
These days, more than ever, fitness typically wins.
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.