Victoria doesn’t have the great Just Believe flying its flag, but still has the quality and quantity to continue its dominance in tonight’s Inter Dominion trotting final at Menangle.

Just Believe, sidelined by injury, has brilliantly won the past two finals, giving Victorians six wins in the past nine finals.

The proud trotting state has eight of the 12 finalists, including a remarkable three – Keayang Chucky, Aldebaran Vera and Keayang Stuka - for Ecklin South trainer Marg Lee at her first appearance in the great race.

The betting says Keayang Chucky, drawn ideally in gate three, in Lee and Victoria’s best hope as a $4.20 shot, but Brent Lilley’s mighty mare Queen Elida, who has finished third in the past two finals, is also right in the market at $7.

Ironically, former star Victorian youngster The Locomotive, now trained in Goulburn by Brad Hewitt, is the biggest threat to Victoria’s dominance as a commanding $1.65 favourite after winning all three qualifying heats.

There are so many firsts for Victorians, with Jason Lee (Keayang Chucky), Lochie Cook (Keayang Stuka) and Ewa Justice (Mufasa Metro) all driving in their first Inter Dominion final.

In contrast, the trailblazing Kerryn Manning will be trying to win her first final at her 18th drive in the race. Her best result was second on La Coocaracha way back in 2002.

It’s a very different story in the pacing final where Victoria boasts just two wins – Lennytheshark (2015) and Shakamaker (2000) – since 2000.

Our hopes of building on that sit with just one finalist, Shane Sanderson’s emerging pacer Dangerous, who is a $5 chance from an ideal barrier two.

It’s Sanderson’s first finalist and the second drive in a final for his son, Ryan, who finished 10th on Hatchback in the 2022 trotting final.

Dangerous stalked and ran down series big Minstrel for an upset heat win last Saturday at Menangle.

“He just keeps stepping up and it was great to get a good run and for him to beat a quality horse like Minstrel,” Ryan Sanderson said.

“We needed a good draw in the final and we’ve got it. He’s good enough to mix it with him if the race is run to suit and he gets the right run.

“It’s just so exciting to be part of a huge race like this, especially with Dad.”

THE VICTORIAN HOPES

Trotting final (8.55pm): Keayang Chucky ($4.20), Queen Elida ($7), Parisian Artiste ($10), Plymouth Chubb ($17), Aldebaran Vera ($26), Mufasa Metro ($26), Aldebaran Zeus ($31), Keayang Stuka ($61),

Pacing final (9.45pm): Dangerous ($5).