The Victoria Cup just got so much better.

In a real coup for the Victorian industry and fans, trainer-driver Grant Dixon has changed his original plans and now firmly has the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup on his agenda with Leap To Fame.

It’s slated for October 14 at Melton.

“All going well, he’ll head down for it,” Dixon said. “We gave him that long break and missed all the early features this year, so he hasn’t done much racing yet.”

Dixon originally planned to give Leap To Fame a short break after the $2.1mil TAB Eureka on September 2 and focus on his home state Inter Dominion series in December.

“He can do both, there’s plenty of time,” he said.

Remarkably, Australia’s two most exciting pacers Leap To Fame and Catch A Wave are yet to clash.

They will do so in the Saturday week’s TAB Eureka and now we’ve got a rematch to look forward to just six weeks later in the Victoria Cup.

Leap To Fame will go into the TAB Eureka without another race or trial.

“It’s a bit disappointing that free-for-all didn’t stand-up over the 2138m last Friday night and there’s no point spinning him around in a mile trial,” he said.

“He’s close to right and I can get him ready at home before he heads to Menangle next Sunday.”

Victoria has by far the richest depth of pacing talent in Australia.

Not only does Victorian have half the field (five of the 10 runners) in the TAB Eureka, but the talent on show in last Saturday night’s Westburn Grant free-for-all was tantalising.

Reigning Victoria Cup winner Rock N Roll Doo, Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin’s open-class stars Act Now, Mach Dan and Hurricane Harley, Jess Tubbs’ best pacer and dual Group 1 winner Better Eclipse, Matty Craven’s brilliant Bettor Isolate headlined the field.

But let’s get back to the TAB Eureka where those representing the “Big V". They are: Catch A Wave, The Lost Storm, Captain Ravishing, Encipher and Captain Hammerhead.

Can we win it? Maybe. Have we made the race for depth and intrigue? Without doubt.

There is a chance we could see both Catch A Wave and The Lost Storm cap their preparations at Melton on Saturday night.

While it seems likely The Lost Storm will strut his stuff, Catch A Wave will probably trial at Melton tomorrow (Tuesday) week instead.

“We might give him a run next weekend,” co-trainer Emma Stewart said of The Lost Storm.

Remembering, he was racing for the third consecutive week when he brilliantly won the Queensland Derby on July 22.

Gath said of Catch A Wave: “At this stage I’m taking the path of the trial. Obviously, the other option is to race at Melton next Saturday, but I’m definitely leaning towards the trial.”

And isn't it great to see the somewhat underrated Victorian mare Encipher get her chance as the only mare in the TAB Eureka field.

Right on cue, the SA-owned mare scored the most significant win of her career when she down some serious and proven open-class stars in last Saturday night’s Westburn Grant free-for-all at Melton.

Trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, along with regular driver Kate Gath, have been saying for months she could beat the boys and now she has – in a proper race.

“I was surprised it took so long for someone to take her in a slot,” Gath said. “It didn’t surprise me what she did tonight. She can follow any pace and still run home in a quick quarter.”

Gath will be aboard Catch A Wave on Saturday week with Luke McCarthy taking the reins on Encipher. It’s McCarthy’s first drive on the mare and will be just the fifth time in her 27-start career Gath hasn’t partnered her.

Don’t forget the Group 1 Len Smith is also on TAB Eureka night and the Victorians are headed there in force, too.

While Act Now is likely to stay home, those expected to head to Sydney include: Rock N Roll Doo, Better Eclipse, Mach Dan and Hurricane Harley.

And what a return it was from Rock N Roll Doo. Trainer-driver Mick Stanley was so impressed the Len Smith Mile went from doubtful to definite and why wouldn't it.

Given how many stars will be in the TAB Eureka, it will be a surprise one of those Victorians don't win the Len Smith.

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.