WITH the advent of a re-structured racing season June is now the new October, or for thoroughbred fans, the new August.
Every year, punters are plunged into a particularly perplexing period where emerging stars with picket fence formlines are pitted against returning guns with talent rather than fitness on their side.
In a previous era this transpired through early spring, when winter warriors clashed with more established commodities as they embarked upon Country Cup and Summer of Glory campaigns.
And for galloping zealots it materialises, a little earlier to coincide with Spring Carnival aspirations.
Times have changed, however.
Now the punting puzzle associated with measuring class against form is already upon us.
And tomorrow night’s nine-race card at Tabcorp Park Melton provides a perfect manifestation of its obstacles.
On one hand we have race-hardened horses with ripping recent records stepping up in grade, like Jimmy The Irishman in race three and Santa Casa Beach in race five.
On the other, we have a host of known talents very early in campaigns aimed toward bigger and better assignments than they’ll tackle at headquarters this evening.
They include Illawong Stardust, Sanday, Always Fast, Rackemup Tigerpie, Sleepee, Cover Of Darkness, Pink Galahs, Sahara Sirocco and Jamieson Steele.
Throw Taswegian talent Cool Water Paddy in the mix and a migraine naturally follows.
The tried-and-true tenet of following markets remains a valuable weapon of choice for punters assessing horses first or second-up from fair sabbaticals, but the role of intuition should not be forsaken.
Sometimes, the best edge we have as punters is also the least measurable.
Ask yourself simple questions like do I trust this horse? Has this runner been set to peak early in its preparation? And how much work will the fresh horse be capable of tonight?
You won’t always be right, but you will learn, and that education will position you better for next October, or these days, next June.
IF there was a Family Feud category questioning which other state Victorians admire most it’s highly likely that Queensland would be very heavily represented.
And with the standard of racing on offer in the Sunshine State over the next five weeks that admiration will likely transition to straight out envy.
We’re still three weeks away from Racing Queensland’s shiny new toy, the Rising Sun, which will mark the major launch of this year’s Winter Carnival but already the stars are arriving.
Tonight, The Listed Lucky Creed Pace will see a mighty clash between Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile winner King Of Swing against fellow Miracle Mile king Spankem.
King Of Swing’s gate one draw will probably decide the result of that event but it will also whet our appetites for what’s to come.
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.