Who is the best four-year-old in the west? 

That may become a little clearer this afternoon at Gloucester Park after the running of the York Cup.

The score is currently one apiece between MINSTREL and MAGNIFICENT STORM after they clashed during the 4yo Classic and Golden Nugget earlier this year, with there only being a neck separating the duo at their last meeting.  

Today the barrier draw advantage is in favour of Minstrel, with the Team Bond trainee starting from gate three, whereas Magnificent Storm will start with the seven saddlecloth in the 2130m feature.  

TAB punters have tumbled into Minstrel after he opened as a $3.10 second elect. He is now a dominant $1.75 favourite and that has pushed Magnificent Storm’s price out to a more generous $2 offering.  

Make sure you don’t miss the earlier start time to today’s Gloucester Park meeting, with kick-off at 10.05am local time (12.05pm AEST), and the feature as race number eight at 4.10pm.

* picture Hamilton Content Creators


Metropolitan racing will steer clear of Tabcorp Park Melton for the foreseeable future, with Geelong stepping back into the spotlight tomorrow night.  

WOLF STRIDE makes his highly-anticipated return in the TAB Minuteman Free For All, with the last-start Group 1 winner now part of the Gath Racing operation. Starting as the lone second row runner, his main dangers look to be the ultra-progressive WESTERN SONADOR, as well as the fit and in-form TORRID SAINT.  

The squaregaiting ranks in Victoria at the moment are experiencing a real ascendence, with a new wave of trotters making their presence felt. MAJESTUOSO has long been touted as Andy Gath’s most talented trotter in a stable of stars, and he will get his opportunity to prove that fact further in the Melton Trotters Free For All. MAORI LAW and MCLOVIN will be doing their bit for the ‘old boys’ club from front row draws, while RED HOT TOOTH will be hoping to recapture her absolute best.  

The final feature on Geelong’s card tomorrow night is the Group 3 Alabar Vicbred Platinum Pace for the mares, where the field of eight could all have claims at the prize. With the scratching of ROCKASAKI, that leaves FINAL PEACE as the lone second row runner, and therefore options for her trainer/driver David Murphy. ITZAMAJOR SUPRIRSE has returned from a Queensland campaign for Mattie Craven and has drawn to advantage in two, whilst SHE WILL ROCK rarely runs a bad race.  

With Group 1 racing next week at Bendigo another step towards the carnival, all roads lead to Victoria!


The Jason Grimson barn has proven a dominant force in the New South Wales FFA ranks in recent weeks, and he will look to add another feature with recent stable acquisition MAJESTIC CRUISER.

Saluting in three of his four runs for the stable, he draws the closest he has to date down in four, whereas MALCOLMS RHYTHM will again have to overcome a wide draw of 10.

Breeders Challenge action is on our doorsteps also, with the first heats underway next week at Leeton for three-year-old fillies. The series will culminate on October 30, whilst regional heats will be staged in the lead-up to the Group 1 finals.


Weekend feature race selections:

FRIDAY

Gloucester Park R8 – 7,3,1 and 5 

SATURDAY

Albion Park R3 – 3,8,5 and 6. Best Bet Mach Da Vinci 

Menangle R6 – 4,2,10 and 3

Geelong R7 – 8,2,5 and 1 

R8 – 6,8,7 and 2 

R9 – 8, 5, 2 and 1


Brittany Graham is a regular host on Sky Racing and the Sky Racing Active app, plus In The Gig with Ben Way and Gareth Hall every Tuesday night on Sky Racing 2 from 6pm.


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.