Tim O'Connor picks his favourite bits from the harness racing week that was and the one ahead...
THE HERO
Master reinsman Greg Sugars, affectionately known as “The Candyman”, was rightly celebrated when despised outsider Festinalente saluted in the opening race at Bendigo last week.
The triumph was Sugars' 4000th winner on Aussie soil and lifted him into rare company alongside Victorian drivers like Chris Alford, the late Gavin Lang, Kerryn Manning and John Caldow to have reached the milestone.
HOW GOOD WAS...
This column will usually stick to things closer to home, but it would be unfair not to acknowledge the success of the inaugural Ultimate Driver series at Albion Park.
While I wasn’t there, I have great respect for the positive feedback I’ve received personally and read online. And everything suggests it was a sensational week in the Sunshine State.
Harness racing needs destination events right across the country, and this one is quickly shaping a must-attend for lovers of the sport.
CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS!
My favourite meeting of the year - Mallee Bull Cup Day at Birchip - is getting awfully close.
If you've never been, I implore you to make the effort on March 9.
Harness racing, country vibes, great people and good music - it doesn’t get much better. Actually, yes it does… the following day is a public holiday.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR...
The “Mayor of Ararat” Michael Bellman is closing in on the major career milestone of 2000 winners.
The 44-year-old began driving in the 1996-97 season and sits on 1995 victories ahead of this evening’s meeting at Kilmore.
POP THIS IN YOUR DIARY
I've long been a fan of the Treble, and the TAB is boosting the Saturday night pool with a $10,000 jackpot.
The pot is projected to reach $50,000 and you can grab a slice of it by finding the winners in races six, seven and eight at Melton.
Also, don't miss the Bendigo Equine Expo & Trade Fair this Saturday. Read more about it here.
ONE FOR THE BLACK BOOK
Lady In The Sky
I fancied this girl at odds last weekend at Melton, and while she wasn’t able to win, her performance certainly warrants staying in her corner.
Lady In The Sky was trapped three back the pegs and held up for clear running approaching the straight, but burst through a gap and charged into second behind Nabrina in Saturday night's Lyn McPherson Memorial Bronze Series Final.
I think Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith's charge can be winning very soon.
SOMETHING TO PONDER...
There's no doubt the 1200m races divide opinion. Some love them, some hate them and others sit somewhere in between.
Whatever your view is about these six-furlong scampers, let's take a moment to consider the starting configuration.
As it stands here in Victoria, field sizes are capped at eight and all competitors are positioned across the front row.
A conversation with an industry figure in recent days really got me thinking. He suggested a more traditional split, with seven off the front and one runner off the back.
The sole back row horse would start in position eight - as opposed to out wide off the front - leaving the driver, and in turn the punter, with some interesting conundrums.
Does the pole marker have gate speed? Will it lead? If it does, will it hold and should we trail it? Or is the best path to victory one that involves quickly moving away from the inside?
I've often thought about how a 4-4 format would work, but the 7-1 split might be worth consideration when these races are programmed again in Victoria.
If we are going to persist with 1200m events - their short duration and action-packed potential is a factor given the busy Sky Racing 1 schedule - we need these races to be more popular with punters. Getting all aspects of them right is important, and that begins at the start.
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.