Typically speaking, harness racing, in the new world at least, hibernates in early winter not unlike a bear.
That’s the theory at least. The truth, however, is very different.
There’s no dispute that standardbreds – southern hemisphere standardbreds – have exponentially evolved in recent decades.
Nevertheless, the trots, much like the greyhounds yet much less like the gallops, will always showcase superstars, or those on their journey to superstardom, every single week of the Julian calendar.
This much was evident on Saturday evening at Melton Park.
Indeed, there’s an argument to be made that all nine winners on a chilly, quiet night Vic harness HQ have the right to dream of futures far beyond their weekend deeds.
Their connections do at least.
And, of those nine victors, three – or perhaps four – stand out above the rest.
Truth be told, there’s one case, maybe even two, where those that didn’t taste success perhaps achieved the most.
Let’s go race-by-race.
In the opening event, known rogue Beach Memories finally scored up like the racehorse those that love her desperately wished she would, and, unsurprisingly, success organically followed.
This isn’t the time of year that benchmark, champion trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin target, though legends of their nature will always relish a challenge.
And based on last weekend, they’re winning what many felt was a futile war with Beach Memories who, when switched on, may prove an A-grade mare.
Forty minutes later, Arcee Phoenix confirmed his status as one of Victoria’s most exciting trotters and ratified the lofty standards set for him by trainer/driver Chris Svanosio, who knows all too well what a quality trotter looks like.
Soon after prohibitive favourite Star Celebrity saluted.
She may not be a superstar, yet with further time and experience that’s not out of the question.
With one third of the card done and dusted, in early June, there’s every reason to sense that a break in play would probably seem natural.
Think again.
Despite competing through the least vaunted period of the racing year, megastar mare Queen Elida and bottomless former Kiwi Ultimate Stride have forged the kind of rivalry that sets a sport alight.
And, as they’ve done before, Brent Lilley’s utterly majestic mare met Chris Lang’s super strong gelding for a battle royale, with Queen Elida prevailing through pure, mesmerising will.
Next up was Hurricane Harley reminding all and sundry what he’s made of back at home, while Bettor Isolate sent an ominous message, in the same event, of what he’ll do in the future if he keeps progressing forward.
Stats can’t confirm this, but Mattie Craven’s runner-up may well have paced the fastest last half in Melton Park history.
The final four winners were Knights Templar, Dannemora, Im Presi Belle and Vee Em Gee Macray - all of whom will target feature glory later this year.
Winter be damned. The trots, and their future stars, never, ever stop.
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.