The build-up to this Victoria Cup is like the AFL finals – evolving dramatically week-by-week.

The latest twists came last Saturday night in the free-for-all at both Melton and, to a lesser extent, Menangle.

Just a week after a less than auspicious launch to his Aussie campaign, Kiwi star Copy That turned things around in the most exciting fashion with his sparkling Gammalite free-for-all win.

Sure, he had a gun run, camped off the slick midrace tempo set by main dangers Bondi Lockdown and Lochinvar Art, but the way he quickly put the race away and seemingly jogged to the line was very encouraging.

More on Copy That soon.

In a cruelly timed twist, Lochinvar Art’s Victoria Cup quest ended just hours before his regular trainer-driver David Moran was due back from a lengthy suspension. It’s only natural the pair had been missing each other.

We now know Lochinvar Art has run his last race in Australia with owner Kevin Gordon confirming "there are only two options: retire him him or send him to the US to continue racing."

We will know on Wednesday which option Gordon takes, but my money is on a US move.

What did we make of Bondi Lockdown’s return? In fact, how do we try and assess him since that mind-blowingly huge second in blistering time in the Chariots Of Fire back in February? Many felt he was the next big thing that night.

Trainer-driver Aaron Dunn admits big Bondi isn’t the easiest horse to train. He looked a bit keen and full of himself when he resumed in the Gammalite.

He certainly got keen early and had to spend plenty of petrol getting to the front, but it was surprising to see him under pressure so far and Lochinvar Art head him off down the back straight, especially after Arty had bungled the start and then come around the field to sit parked.

On the flipside, it was only a week earlier when Copy That burned early in his race and tired badly.

Let’s just say we're all watching with interest when Bondi Lockdown steps out next, whether that be in Friday night’s Kilmore Cup or the Smoken Up Sprint a week later.

Speaking of the Smoken Up Sprint, we now know that’s where Copy That is headed for his final Victoria Cup lead-up.

“We’d originally looked at the Kilmore Cup, but when I changed and backed him up two weeks in a run, it changed everything,” trainer Ray Green said. “The Smoken Up just suits better on all fronts. The two week gap from this win and fact it’s a sprint. I’d rather keep him fresh and sharp than stretch him to a staying race this week.”

As good as Copy That looked last Saturday, Green insists there is more to come.

“He’s not quite there yet, he still pulled-up a bit big from that run. In the past, he’s run his best races when he’s looked on the light side,” he said. “He’ll come on from this win and then one more run should have him right at his top for the Victoria Cup.”

Waiting in the wings in Victoria are the likes of Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin’s pair Honolua Bay (himself backing up from a tough run and defeat) and a pacer the stable absolutely loves in Like A Wildfire. Then there is Jess Tubbs’ pair Bettor Eclipse and Triple Eight.

It’s clear the NSW raiders – well, really just Team McCarthy’s open-class stars – will be huge players in the Victoria Cup.

Jason Grimson won’t be coming down with Majestic Cruiser or I Cast No Shadow, so it will be the likes of Expensive Ego, Spirit Of St Louis, Mach Shard and maybe even A Gs White Socks (all from Team McCarthy) flying the NSW flag.

Expensive Ego is my tip right now. He returned from a long spell to win a ho-hum free-for-all at Menangle last Saturday night and ripped home in 53sec, but strength more than speed is his best asset.

Despite the fact Spirit Of St Louis is much shorter in Victoria Cup markets, Luke McCarthy insists Expensive Ego is the stable’s top seed.

Spirit Of St Louis may go to the Kilmore Cup Friday, while Mach Shard and A Gs White Socks are expected to run at Menangle on Saturday night.

How blessed are we for young driving talent in Australia.

And it was on display for all to see when three of our best young drivers filled the trifecta in the Australian Drivers’ Championship at Globe Derby last Saturday night.

Victoria’s largely under-promoted star James “Herbie” Herbertson won the series by two points from NSW gun Cam Hart and WA star Emily Suvaljko.

All that without NSW’s and arguably Australia’s top young driver Jack Callaghan contesting the series.

It was a fantastic and fitting win for Herbertson, who is a clear leader in the Victorian Drivers’ Premiership after finishing second to Chris Alford last year.

A big shout out to HRSA CEO Dean Elliott and his team for resurrecting the ADC. Despite a myriad of plane flight issues and a delayed start to the stellar meeting, it was a success.

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.