Tim O'Connor picks his favourite bits from the harness racing week that was and the one ahead...

THE HERO

James Herbertson

I had to acknowledge James Herbertson for returning home to Australia following the passing of champion reinsman Greg Sugars.

Herbertson was in the midst of a working holiday in the United States when he learned the devastating news about his dear friend and was promptly there to provide comfort for Sugars’ wife Jess Tubbs.

The 25-year-old teamed up for an emotional win in Sugars’ colours with the Tubbs-trained Golden Shooz at Geelong last Friday, and has landed subsequent victories with stablemates Parlezvous Patty and Hes From Heaven.

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS!

Zahara v Susan!

Keayang Zahara’s clash with Susan Is Her Name is going to be something special.

The top trotters are set to battle it out for Group 1 glory in the Macarthur Mile at Menangle this Saturday night.

Keayang Zahara ($1.65) is 15 wins from 15 starts, but the exciting Susan Is Her Name ($2.10) has been superb in her three runs back this campaign and draws inside her main danger.

They are clear favourites in the market, with veteran mare Im Ready Jet on the third line of betting at $11 with Sportsbet.

The Macarthur Mile is one of four Group 1s on the Menangle card and is set to go at 9.09pm.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR...

Ouyen Pacing Cup

This Sunday’s Gregg’s Electrical Ouyen Pacing Cup shapes as a great race, with the locals queuing up to secure one of the Sunraysia’s big features.

Merbein South trainer Luke Watson has Keayang Moroccan engaged in the race, Irymple’s Allan McDonald will gear up Watch The Attitude, Birdwoodton’s Naomi Kerr prepares United, Cabarita horseman Scott Garraway lines up Rio Rock and Red Cliffs’ Andrew German will be represented by All Da Rage.

The Ouyen Pacing Cup is race seven on the eight-race card and is set to go at 4.34pm.

Read the preview here.

POP THIS IN YOUR DIARY

Victorian Harness Racing Awards

Another reminder that tickets are available for Harness Racing Victoria’s annual awards event, which will be held at Melton Entertainment Park on Monday, May 26.

Click here for more information or here to book your place at the function.

ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK

Karbine

Kept a close eye on this bloke as a two-year-old, and there was plenty to like despite a campaign littered with gait breaks.

He’s been for a spell and has performed well at the trials ahead of a first-up three-year-old run on Friday night at Melton.

I reckon he will be winning as soon as he puts it all together.

SOMETHING TO PONDER...

We all approach our form study in different ways, and the hierarchy of what holds most weight when coming up with a final selection would vary from one punter to another.

For instance, video replays are my first point of reference, and I’ll usually trust my eye over all else when judging a runner’s recent performances.

Others love track and distance records, certain trainers or drivers, drops in class or best mile rates. And of course, there’s many other considerations, including barrier draws.

One tool you might not be aware of is the sectional times records available at thetrots.com.au. Here, there’s individualised breakdowns of horse performances for races run in Victoria and this data can prove extremely valuable for finding coming winners.

Check out the sectionals page here.

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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.