Ominous signs were signaled out of the Menangle trials on Wednesday for those targeting the Victoria Cup.
Reigning Grand Circuit champion KING OF SWING was back under the public eye for the first time since a luckless Queensland carnival when stepping out in preparation for another southern campaign.
With the Victoria Cup only two and a half weeks away, it was no real surprise to see him there for a serious hit-out, however the 1:49.9 mile rate surprised many including his driver, Luke McCarthy.
Cruising to the line in 26.3 seconds for the final 400m, the rising seven-year-old looks on track to go one better in this year's Victoria Cup, after being forced to settle for second best behind LOCHINVAR ART in last year's edition.
In a turn of events, David Moran has been booked to take the reins on the star stallion after defeating him last time around and going to battle with him many other times aboard his sidelined stable star.
King Of Swing will contest next Saturday night’s fast class event at Menangle as his lead-up run to the $300,000 Victoria Cup, to be staged at Bendigo a week later.
Tonight’s Kilmore Cup shapes as a brilliant entrée to what’s to come in a fortnight’s time, with most of the major players for the Victoria Cup lining up in the $80,000 staying feature.
Last start Blacks A Fake victor AMAZING DREAM will be looking to take it to the boys as she has done several times before, however will have to overcome a second-row draw. Despite that, she’s been the biggest TAB shortener into outright favoritism after opening at $5.
GENERAL DODGE (pictured) was the big winner after the barrier draw - being allotted the one gate - and with his sensational gate speed, he looks likely to be in the firing line once more. Jason Lee joined In The Gig on Tuesday and was glowing in his assessment of the horse, labelling him the fastest he has driven and more than capable of winning a big-time feature.
The Caduceus Classic two weeks ago was a strong form pointer for this evening’s feature, and TRIPLE EIGHT has been popular throughout the week after his dominant performance in that Group 1.
The trotters will also get their opportunity at cup success, with the marathon 3150m standing start feature run at Group 3 level.
Looking to overcome the 30m back mark for more feature race success will be last-start Group 1 winner MAORI LAW, whilst MCLOVIN and RED HOT TOOTH will share the task alongside him. The country cups king WELL DEFINED will be looking for a change in circumstances after finding trouble at his two runs back from a spell, and he is more than capable under the conditions.
While MAJESTUOSO and PINK GALAHS are notable omissions after contesting last week’s Shepparton Cup, the Group 1 Bill Collins Sprint at Bendigo on Victoria Cup night could be a race for the ages.
While the local contingent is extremely strong, there is also the possibility of New South Wales raiders in the form of TOUGH MONARCH and the extremely exciting wildcard ALDEBARAN REVANI.
As another treat on tonight’s card, last start Queensland Derby winner AMERICAN DEALER will line up for his new trainer Nathan Purdon for the first time when he takes on the Reg Withers Classic. The rough and tough ACT NOW will be looking for an improved performance at his second run back from a spell, whereas BETTER ECLIPSE has been a revelation at his last few starts.
This evening’s card is an absolute showstopper, so don’t miss any of the action on Sky Racing 1 and Sky Racing Active!
While Victoria is firmly in the spotlight, the Breeders Challenge in New South Wales is starting to really heat up.
Heat performances from the likes of MISTER REA, BAR ROOM BANTA (pictured) and TITIAN RAIDER amongst others have been outstanding, though the action took it up another notch at Penrith on Wednesday night.
Jarrod Alchin and Cameron Hart combined to clean sweep both heats with MY ULTIMATE RONNIE causing an upset and MADRID justifying her short-price favoritism.
In the colt's division, SMALTESE was sent to post as the $1.33 favourite, however struggled to handle the tight first turn at speed and gave away his early advantage, which was terminal to his winning hopes. In the end it was an emphatic victory to My Ultimate Ronnie, who registered a 1:54.6 mile rate, only a second outside the allcomers mark set by IGNATIUS.
Madrid changed ownership during the week and gave her new connections instant reward by saluting in her heat despite being forced to overcome a second-row draw.
Heat action will take a breather next week before the final opportunities to qualify for the semi finals will be run the following week.
Best of the weekend – R5 N9 Albion Park Friday – Couldntmisafalcon
Value of the weekend – R1 N9 Albion Park Saturday – Northview Hustler
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.