UNFORTUNATELY COVID has reared its ugly head once more in Victoria, forcing this weekend’s Group 1 Tabcorp Park Melton meeting to change course.

With Victoria being forced into a seven-day snap lockdown, only necessary participants and officials will be permitted on track, with owners and spectators not allowed.  

The Group 1 two-year-old state finals have not been affected, with the fields made up of Victorian pacers, however the same cannot be said for the three-year-olds.  

With a strong New South Wales flavour and even Western Australian representation, the ramped-up restrictions have already had taken their first few victims in the $350,000 finals.  

Michael Brennan had managed to qualify PINNY TIGER and MISS BOUDICA for the Sandgropers, but was forced to withdraw his charges on Thursday afternoon.  

“Although our owners are all disappointed, as we are, the health and safety of our Brennan Racing family and the racing industry on a broader scale is paramount to us all,” said the Brennan Racing team via a press release.  

New South Wales representatives will play a major part in both finals, with the current favourite in the colts and geldings' division, TASTY DELIGHT, and second-elect in the fillies' final, ANNTONIA, alongside others.  

David Thorn informed Sky Sports Radio listeners on Thursday morning that he and Anntonia had safely arrived in Victoria.

“She travelled really good. I left yesterday morning and arrived down here at around 3.30pm and she didn’t move while travelling on her own,” he said. 

“I gave her a little jog and a canter this morning and she was as bright as a button, ate everything last night and I couldn’t be happier with her." 

When it comes to interstate drivers, the waters become a little murkier.  

As of this morning, the circumstances are so far unchanged. 

Jack Trainor and Blake Fitzpatrick are booked to take the reins on fancied raiders on Saturday evening, however, may be forced to drive the journey. This will ensure they do not visit any other venues aside from Tabcorp Park Melton, such as the high traffic areas like the airport. At this stage, they would be cleared to return home and back to business after a clear Covid test.  

Speaking with James Rattray yesterday, it would seem unlikely that he would be making the trip.  

Despite the drama surrounding the last few days proceedings, the four Group 1s from Melton on Saturday night will be tantalising!  

LOCAL pride will be on the line tomorrow (Saturday) night when the TAB Regional Championships State Final takes place at Tabcorp Park Menangle.  

The first and second placegetters from last weeks Regional Finals, as well as a couple of third finishers, will hope to take home the $100,000 Group 1 prize over 2300 metres. 

ILIKEMEBETTOR scraped into the field off the back of his Metropolitan third behind EYE CAN RUN last week and has been installed as a well backed TAB favourite from a favourable gate of two.  

KEAYANG KRUEZER looks the Western region's best hope from the inside gate, whereas THE CHOREOGRAPHER for the Hunter hasn’t drawn so favourably. Despite being nosed out in the Riverina final last Sunday, FOREVER YIN is not without a hope in the big one from a kind draw of four. 

All bases will be covered from Menangle on Saturday with extended coverage on Sky Racing Active with Cassie Fahey, Fred Hastings and myself.

TROT Rods for 2021 came to a close on Wednesday evening at Redcliffe.  

Following an exciting build up, 10 final 947m dashes with opportunities for connections to take home the $10,000 cash bonus and brand-new Otto Tuza float, took place. 

Despite some late charges from competitors, ADAM CROCKER held onto the title of Trot Rods king after setting a mark of 63.8 seconds last week despite not racing during the finale meeting.  

Following the concept being ultra-successful once again, its fixture looks to be a staple on the Queensland calendar going forward with bigger and better things expected next year. 

With the TAB Constellations now in the immediate future, the Sunshine State will remain in the national spotlight with fantastic racing still to come.  

New Zealand’s seasonal swan song will take place next Sunday June 6, with the final pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place. 

The Harness Jewels final fields have now been determined, with barrier draws to be conducted later this afternoon.  

You can view the final acceptors by clicking here.  

Apart from the excitement of the nine Group 1 features with the Kiwi’s best on show, many runners have been touted as possible Queensland competitors over the coming months safely through next Sunday.  

I am looking forward to my maiden voyage to Cambridge Raceway and will be doing my best to find Sky viewers a winner or two along the way!

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.