A bumper weekend awaits harness enthusiasts with a mammoth eight Group 1s across three different cards to be run in the next 72 hours.
Menangle will host four G1 Breeders Challenge finals tomorrow evening and the Len Smith Mile, alongside the G1 Queen Of The Pacific and G2 4YO & 5YO Championship as part of the return to metropolitan racing at Tabcorp Park Melton.
To further compliment a sensational weekend, Maryborough will host its ever-popular Redwood Classic all-trotting card on Sunday afternoon.
The New South Wales breeding industry will firmly step into the spotlight tomorrow with dozens of breeders big and small holding high hopes the blood, sweat, tears and money they invested into producing a potential champion many years ago pays off. Four $150,000 Breeders Challenge G1 finals will share the spotlight with the $100,000 Len Smith Mile as part of a super 10-race card. And it’s time to have a good look at each!
Race four on Saturday evening at Menangle is the first of the Group 1s for three-year-old colts and geldings, where TITIAN RAIDER will carry the hopes of many.
Harry Martin is now 81 years of age and is a gentleman of the sport who has enjoyed a lifetime of success in the game, highlighted by his champion DOUBLE IDENTITY. Still as hands on as ever, the veteran horseman has another live chance this weekend at the elite level with his stable star to be driven by Glenn McElhinney. After clocking 1:50 flat in his semi-final success last week, and drawing well down in one, a fairy tale result is looking likely for the TAB favourite. Last year’s winner BAR ROOM BANTA has drawn the carpark but has been best backed throughout the week, whereas CAPTAIN CRUSADER looks the early challenger to Titian Raider with his electric early speed.
MY ULTIMATE BYRON has swept all before him in a sensational seven-start career thus far, including a breathtaking APG Group 1 success earlier this year. A son of Somebeachsomewhere who is prepared by Jarrod Alchin alongside a stable full of talented juveniles, the quirky character loves to run his rivals ragged by churning out brutal sectionals. Despite drawing out in nine, his exposed gate speed looks superior to his rivals and he will no doubt be making a B-Line for the top. SMALTESE has shown glimpses of brilliance in his short career also so far, however still has some learning to do as well as a few gait issues which have held him back on occasion. He was the talk of the town when trialling in an astonishing 1:50.2 mile rate a month ago, but was then defeated convincingly by MY ULTIMATE RONNIE in their semi-final.
The TAB Len Smith Mile will be run as race number six on Menangle’s card tomorrow evening, with a quality line-up of local talent to take on the Group 1 sprint trip feature. EXPENSIVE EGO is only having his 25th career start, though he looks to be drawn perfectly to register his fourth G1 success, and first in open company. After dominating the Chariots Of Fire and running a game second to KING OF SWING in the Miracle Mile earlier this year, his versatility ensures that a number of different scenarios unfolding won’t affect his fortunes. The gate speed engaged in this year’s Len Smith could be electric with IGNATIUS, ALTA ORLANDO and BONCEL BENJAMIN all noted flyers off the arm.
The Breeders Challenge finals will roll on once more in the seventh event on the card, where ANNTONIA will look to add to her already stellar season with another big-race success. Despite having a somewhat chequered campaign with some tying up issues causing her to underperform in her first heat attempt at Penrith, she has bounced back in a big way. Her semi-final performance was sharp last week - with seemingly plenty still in the tank - and she has drawn nicely in three. Her gate speed also looks to have improved across the season, which should assist her to hold out her main danger early, CHRISSY CHIC.
The final Group 1 of the evening will be for the freshman fillies, where both MADRID and CAPTAINS QUEEN have each only been defeated on one occasion thus far this season and progressed through their semi-finals with victories. With the barrier draw as crucial as ever, Madrid has the obvious advantage drawing inside Captains Queen and has therefore been a solid TAB favourite. In a strong crop of fillies, the chances don’t end there with the likes of NOT TO BE DENIED, MISS EX and SILK CLOUD all very talented.
Despite some fans being able to attend their first feature race meeting in some time, do not fret if you are not one of them.
Sky Racing Active will have all angles covered out of Menangle for the entirety of the card. Ryan Phelan will be catching up with all the major players pre and post-race, while Fred Hastings will once again describe the excitement on track as well as provide his assessments in the lead-up. And I am looking to hopefully find plenty of winners!
The Sky Racing Active showcase coverage of Breeders Challenge night will kick off at 6.05pm, so make sure to download the app to not miss a minute of the action!
BEST of the weekend – R6 N7, Menangle, Expensive Ego
VALUE of the weekend – R2 N2, Menangle, Cassius
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.