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

THE HERO

Susan Is Her Name

What an incredible performance it was by Susan Is Her Name in last Saturday night’s Macarthur Mile.

The Emma Stewart-trained mare claimed a third Group 1 victory while inflicting star rival Keayang Zahara’s first defeat with a dazzling display of speed up the home straight.

Her victory – in a rapid mile rate of 1:51.7 - was a special moment for owner-breeder Bruce Wyborn, who is now setting his sights on a home-state Inter Dominion tilt with his pride and joy.

Read the full story on Bruce and Susan Is Her Name here.

HOW GOOD WAS…

HANNAH’S CUP GLORY

I was rapt for young reinswoman Hannah Lewis when the breaks came her way in Sunday’s Ouyen Pacing Cup.

Lewis partnered the Matthew Craven-trained Crime Writer to victory in the Sunraysia feature, with the success just her 10th in a driving career that began in April last year.

Crime Writer capitalised on a mistake from stablemate Young Bluey approaching the home straight and powered home to win the $12,000 event by 4.4m.

“To be able to get these opportunities, it's just unreal,” the 21-year-old said. “I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams (I’d) be driving Mitch (Crime Writer) in this race and to have won it.”

Crime Writer’s win was the 16th of his career at age nine.

Click here for Paul Campbell's interview with Lewis after the Ouyen triumph.

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS!

DERBY SHOWDOWN

What a race the Group 1 NSW Trotters Derby shapes to be at Menangle this Saturday night.

Victorian trainers have six of the runners (seven including Michael Bellman’s emergency Mercano), with last-start NSW Trotters Oaks winner Gatesys Gem looking to complete a memorable double for Trafalgar trainer Glenn Hunter.

Enchauffour is favourite for Jess Tubbs, with Jayne Davies’ Commodus the second elect ahead of Gatesys Gem on the third line of betting.

The NSW Trotters Derby is set to go at 8.32pm on Saturday night.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR...

THE APG DECIDERS

Emma Stewart looks to have a stranglehold on the Australian Pacing Gold finals on Saturday week.

Stewart’s gun youngsters Loucasso and Degarmea Teale scored dominant wins in respective heats for two-year-old colts and geldings and two-year-old fillies at Bendigo on Wednesday night.

They are the horses to beat in the $150,000 showdowns at Melton on May 24.

POP THIS IN YOUR DIARY

JACKPOT CASH

A $10,000 jackpot has been added to the First 4 pool for Saturday night’s opening race at Melton, with the pot expected to reach $50,000.

Now how do we get a slice of the dividend in what shapes as a wide-open free-for-all to start the card?

I’d suggest the following ticket: 1, 2/1, 2, 8, 10/1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11/field

ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK

MY UNCLE STAN

He’s a bit of an opportunist given his lack of gate speed, but My Uncle Stan looks ready to win if his effort last weekend at Melton is anything to go by.

Rich Cashman’s gelding sustained a wide run from last in the Hip Pocket Castlemaine Pace to finish fourth, beaten less than 10m by winner Jaccka Connor.

He produced a slick 54.13sec finale to be one of just two horses all night outside the free-for-all pace to break 55sec for the last half mile.

SOMETHING TO PONDER...

Who would you vote to be crowned the 2024 Victorian Horse of the Year?

Ryan Phelan penned an article this morning outlining his top five contenders, with champion trotter Just Believe, brilliant pacer Catch A Wave, unbeaten three-year-old Keayang Zahara, border-hopping youngster Bay of Biscay and powerhouse squaregaiter The Locomotive the names on the list.

There’s great cases to be made for a number of horses, and the winner will be revealed at the Victorian Harness Racing Awards function on Monday, May 26.

Click here to book your tickets for the event at Melton Entertainment Park.

Chances are you’re about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

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.