Melton’s the spotlight this weekend

The spotlight this weekend for Australian Harness Racing is at Melton with the build up to the Victoria Cup carnival on 17 October. The Smokin Up sprint opens up the nine event program and we see the clash of the Jason Grimson trained Our Sunset Delight who is making his Melton debut up against the highly rated Fighter Command.

There are three heats of the Victoria Pacers Derby, none more intriguing than the first heat where the Emma Stewart trained pair of Cardigan Dan and Enjoy Life will face opposition from the New Zealander Kotare Kimu, Tasmanian Vivid Dream and Queenslander Ruggards Gee Tee however all three are on the second line.

The second heat sees Cardigan Dan up against the talented Soho Trump and Le Cardinal who was most impressive winning a semi Final of the Superbred series at Melton last month.

And star New South Wales colts Palladium and Nymbal go head to head in the third heat after their last clash in the Carousel Final at Menangle when Nymbal outsprinted his rival.

The time honoured Dullard Trotters Cup features four year old mare Gatesys Gem attempts to hold off the Chris Svanosio trained pair of Gotfeelingsyouknow and Lovemetoo. Throw in Matt Craven’s promising Hoppy and we have the makings of a very good race.

There are two Group 1 Finals for the three year old trotters colts and geldings and fillies and the colts and geldings division sees the appearance of Munny The Munster, The Preacher and the talented but risky Kyvalley Ray who would no end of beating if he puts his mind to it.

The meeting concludes with two very competitive Victoria Oaks heats with the first division highlighted by strong filly Willows Girl against the much travelled Queensland Oaks winner Ripples. And the second heat looks a match between outstanding filly Bettor Beach and the royally bred The Queens Gambit.

At Menangle, Dangerous stands out in the Free For All as his trainer Jason Grimson steps up his campaign for the forthcoming feature classics.

The Frith Mares stakes sees Lux Aeterna better suited against her own class where she will face the likes of Wicked Confession, Snap Shot and Gunna Reload who is resuming after a let up.

The $75,000 Yabby Dam Farms two year old colts and geldings trotters final looks to be at the mercy of unbeaten Victorian colt Verbici with his main rivals looking to be Chief Kenny and Keayang Marcus. The corresponding $75,000 Fillies is a wide open affair with several first starters that could surprise first up.

The highlight at Gloucester Park on Friday evening is the Group 3 Four Year Old Championship where brilliant gelding Cyclone Jordy makes his return to metropolitan racing after an effortless first up win at Pinjarra. He’ll meet last season’s Derby winner Runkle Crunch who looks to be his only threat.

Finally we have the first running of the $100,000 slot race the Radiant to be staged at Port Pirie on Saturday night with the presence of interstate drivers Seaton Grima and Alex Ashwood. There’ll be two heats of the Radiant earlier in the evening with those that miss out in the Final taking part in a $16,000 consolation. An extra treat will see the $15,000 APG Adelaide sales two year old classic Final.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink