Group 1 racing will return to Kilmore tomorrow evening with two trotting features for a select but strong group of three-year-olds.

Graduates of the Australasian Premier Trotting Sales will line up for $50,000 in their gender divisions over the 2180m trip, with further big race features over the coming months no doubt in the plans for most.

Last year’s crop of juvenile trotting fillies was an incredibly open division, with the spoils shared and luck in running the winning of most features.

BANGELZ captured G1 success in her two-year-old season with a bold Vicbred Super Series display, whilst her manners also let her down on occasion. Installed as a short-priced TAB favourite in the fillies division of the APTS Saturday, she looks well placed from the two gate, despite the fact that she made a break in running to end her chances last start.  

I must say that I am quite surprised by the price disparity between the top two in betting.

ALDEBARAN URSULA has been faultless this season, including her NSW Trotters Oaks victory and brave runner-up performance against the boys in the Derby a week later. Her feature race campaign during the back end of last year’s season was cruelled by bad barriers, yet her dominant performance in The Graeme Lang from a front row draw proved how talented she is. With ringcraft and manners on her side, she is the one to beat in my eyes.

When it comes to the colts and geldings, ALDEBARAN ZEUS (pictured above) has the runs on the board, however the small field also features some up-and-coming, somewhat unknown talents.

Placing in both the Redwood Classic and Vicbred Super Series and running 4th in the Breeders Crown during his two-year-old season, the son of Muscle Hill is going to win a feature shortly. Only sparingly raced this term, he prepared for this Group 1 target with an eye-catching third three weeks ago behind QUEEN OF CRIME.

LOCKSLEY LOVER will give away plenty of experience to all his rivals, however his back-to-back wins through April showed his natural talent and the inside barrier draw should have him in a striking position. WHOS THE MAN is probably quite the opposite to the John Nissen trainee drawn to his inside, with 16 runs under his belt already whilst taking on older rivals of late and showing maturity and versatility.

It isn’t just young trotting talent on display at Kilmore’s metropolitan card with the Maori’s Idol FFA a brilliant mix of aspiring and established grand circuit performances.

COVER OF DARKNESS, IM READY JET and ALWAYS READY all have front row draws to contend with whereas MAJESTUOSO will have to be every bit his brilliant best from the outside of the second row at the sprint trip.

Markets are now open on the three group features out of Kilmore with TAB.

After his super third in free for all company last week, AL GUERRERO looks very hard to toss in The Binshaw at Group 2 level this evening at Gloucester Park. Drawing the inside gate and despite taking a trail on VAMPIRO up in grade last time, his gate speed and record when leading suggests that an all the win may be on the cards this time around.  

Make sure you also tune into the fourth event on tonight’s GP card with the exciting and relatively untapped MAGNIFICENT STORM and WA Pacing Cup victor MIGHTY CONQUEROR headlining a quality contest.  

At Albion Park on Saturday, CRUNCH TIME will look to continue what has been an amazing Winter ascendence through the grades when he lines up in the second on the card. Only going down narrowly in a stirring battle last week after working from the second row, he looks likely to have to do it tough again with noted speedster MAYWYNS BEST drawn directly inside him.  

When it comes to reigning horse of the year COLT THIRTY ONE (pictured above), the jury is still out on where the millionaire stallion is at after going through a winless streak of seven starts this campaign, while his last win was registered back in November 2020.  

Speaking of winless streaks, BURNHAM BOY deserves to break through for another victory after being forced to settle for runner up status at his last four starts. The best of the chasers behind the tearaway MAX DELIGHT last week, his 2300metre record is brilliant and he is knocking on the door with gritty performances shown consistently of late.

When it comes to feature racing this weekend, this is how I am playing around the country: 

Gloucester Park (tonight) – Race 5 - The Binshaw – 1, 3, 10 and 2 

Kilmore (Saturday) – Race 4 - APTS 3yo Trotting Fillies Final – 4, 2, 1 and 8

Race 7 - Maori’s Idol Trotters FFA – 6, 11, 2 and 7

Race 9 – APTS 3yo Trotting Colts & Geldings Final – 2, 5, 1 and 7 

Albion Park (Saturday) – Race 2 – TAB Long May We Play Pace – 3, 9, 2 and 1 

Menangle (Saturday) – Race 5 – Garrards Paul Fitzpatrick FFA – 7, 6, 10 and 3

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.