DEBATE has long raged around the amount of feature juvenile racing on the calendar, with many involved in the industry keen to see further four-year-old opportunities as part of a bridging year before joining the open class ranks.  

The emphasis on big prizemoney racing around two and three-year-olds has often been to blame for star youngsters not going on to take a step into the Grand Circuit, with obvious enticement to be at the races early.  

Alongside this, the four-year-old season has often been a tough step up for horses who have been kept to their own age group before taking a large leap into the big league against older, hardier competitors.  

The winds of change are seemingly blowing through, however, and if this year’s four-year-old racing is anything to go by there could be merit in the move towards this age group taking centre stage.  

This year's Chariots Of Fire was one of the races of this era, with extreme pressure and action from start to finish. With a 24.3-second opening quarter smashing all Australasian and seemingly world standards, the 1.47.6 mile rate is among the quickest recorded in the southern hemisphere.  

Races like The Rising Sun and the newly developed TAB Eureka will also showcase the countries four-year-old talent.

And, despite its occurrence being by a COVID accident, the four-year-old APG races at Menangle on Saturday are a calendar highlight even before their running.  

LADIES IN RED has been the ‘It Girl’ of Australian pacing for the last few seasons, with the remarkable dominance of her age group having her regarded by many as one of the best fillies we’ve seen.  

For the first time in her career we will see this superstar out of her comfort zone tomorrow night when travelling away from her home state. Add to that a wide draw and the fact that it's her first look at the unique Menangle circuit and it will be a challenge for her in more ways the one.  

Time and time again, she has managed to overcome adversity and for this reason, she is still a dominant $1.55 TAB favourite over her stablemates TOUGH TILLY and JOANNA.  

When it comes to the entires and geldings' division, the major fancies are coming from near and far.  

For the first time in seasons, Western Australian representation has made its way across the Nullabor with MIGHTY RONALDO for Justin Prentice and Gary Hall Jnr flying the flag.  

The WA Derby winner was readied for his rich assignment with an ultra-impressive trial performance last Wednesday but has copped an ordinary gate eight to overcome.  

Again, the Tonkin Stewart team have come with a strong arsenal in the four-year-old boys with BEYOND DELIGHT at the top of betting after his dominant heat win over last year’s Victoria Derby monster and stablemate ACT NOW.  

The local contingent has certainly faired the best in the barrier draw stakes with the ultra-consistent ARTILLERY coming up with the ace marble and IDEAL DAN looking to continue his winning way and by adding another Group 1 to his recent Riverina Championships victory.  

Alongside this duo of $210,000 APG Finals, the recently elevated La Coocaracha trotting mare sprint and NSW Trotters Oaks will add to a fantastic 10-race card of racing.  

Again, Sky Racing Active will have all bases covered with extended coverage of the entire evening, so download the app to tune in if you are yet to.  


BEST of the weekend: Menangle, Saturday, R1 N5 Whereyabinboppin 

VALUE of the weekend: Menangle, Saturday, R8 N3 Tough Love 


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.