VicBred heats and Westbred Finals this weekend’s highlight

The VicBred harness racing series is starting to hot up with heats and semi finals this Friday and Saturday night at Melton.

On Friday night, it’s the Trotters turn with two heats of the two year old fillies.

The first heat see’s Chris Svanosio’s promising filly Kyvalley Drifter up against the consistent Miss Muscle.

Antii Ruokenon’s brilliant unbeaten filly Bumper Crop fresh from her Wagga Nutrien Series success tackles the second heat but is awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second row. Brent Lilley’s filly Kyvalley Dixon who’s won her last two starts at Maryborough and Melton is ideally drawn on the pole as is Zippin Past who’s drawn next to her.

There’ll be three heats for the three year old fillies which include Hallebesofine, the New South Wales filly Gladiatrix, and Jilliby Aura.

Similarly there’ll be three heats for the three year old colts and geldings and in the first heat we see the presence of Howdy Mate up against the speedy New South Wales trotter Superior Stride. Outstanding youngster Pastor Dunbar has drawn the pole in the second heat while Munny The Munster is ideally drawn in three in the third heat. The race also sees the presence of smart South Australian Idealogy who’ll be facing his toughest task to date.

The meeting wraps up with the two year colts and geldings in their heats and there’ll be plenty of attention to the unbeaten colts Verbici and Phoenix Red who are both expected to advance to what will be a mouth watering clash the week after in the Final.

Gloucester Park will see the Westbred Finals for two three and four year olds on a huge night of racing. The two year old events are Group 1 status with each carrying $215,000 in stakemoney.

The two year old fillies final sees the clash of the inform Seaside Seranade (barrier 2) and Nevele Arma (barrier 3) a recent winner of the Diamond Classic Final.

The two year old colts and geldings sees the outstanding youngster Hez The Boss a winner of 7 of his 8 appearances including the Pearl Classic Final. He’s up against Ignite The Furnace who’s drawn the pole as well as the highly promising Ideal Whisper.

On Saturday night Melton stages the semi finals of the Vicbred series for two and three year olds.

Emma Stewart has five runners in the first heat of the three year old colts and geldings with the unbeaten Enjoy Life drawn out in six. Soho Charmer in line for a hat trick and a most impressive heat winner is ideally drawn in two.

Michael Stanley also holds the cards in the second heat with the promising Soho Trump but he’ll face plenty of opposition from New South Wales youngsters The Niteshift and Neptunite.

The three year old fillies divisions sees the presence of Pre Eminent, Bettor Beach A Lot Like Jeannie while the two year old colts and geldings will be highlighted by the appearances of Smack Bang Bart, Soho Bellagio and Cardigan Sniper a winner of his last four on end.

Finally the two year old fillies sees the clash of Kahula and the inform La Cantatrice while Ideal Frankie is likely to start a very short priced favourite in the second heat.

The highlight at Menangle on Saturday evening is the highly anticipated return of star colt Loucasso who’s having his first start for trainer Seaton Grima. Although drawn out in seven he should run a strong race first up.

Earlier in the evening, the Jason Grimson pair of Captains Knock and Rakero Rocket will clash in the Free For all. Captains Knock has taken all before him this time in and Rakero Rocket served notice that he is back recently running 1.50 in a trial at Menangle.

The other key event at Menangle is the Ranji Bill Mares Classic and this time Luke McCarthy’s top mare Eye Keep Smiling has had some luck in the draw coming out of barrier two. However grand mare Lux Aeterna will give a great sight on her recent form and one to watch will be Nathan Turnbull’s promising mare Alfnalma who faces her most difficult task to date.

 

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink