With the Australasian Breeders Crown finals on Sunday at Tabcorp Park Melton looming large, we here at Harnesslink thought we would preview the finals.
This is our preview of the three year colts and geldings trotting final.
1) Lively Laughter (Grinfromeartoear) Starts 9 – Wins 0 – Seconds 2 – Thirds 1 – Stakes $5145
Maiden trotter in against some high class three year old trotters makes his task very hard
Can't see him playing a part here.
Not for us
2) Lofty Success (Great Success) Starts 12 – Wins 1 – Seconds 0 – Thirds 2 – Stakes $4788
Another three year old who looks to be significantly out of his depth here.
Hard to make a case for him to be a chance here.
Not for us
3) Fabrication (Dream Vacation) Starts 18 – Wins 7 – Seconds 3 – Thirds 1 – Stakes $72,820
Right in the zone at the moment but can still do things wrong every now and again.
Galloped for no reason in the Victorian Trotting Derby so not completely foolproof.
Can leave the gate quickly so with two lesser lights inside him, he would appear the early leader from barrier three.
Must include for trifecta and first four players.
4) Suave Taj (Majestic Son) Starts 5 – Wins 1 – Seconds 1 – Thirds 1 – Stakes $3805
Looks to be quite a nice trotter in the making but the step up in grade here is huge.
Hard to make a case for him in this field.
Not for us.
5) Illawong Armstrong (Majestic Son) Starts 22 – Wins 9 – Seconds 5 – Thirds 3 – Stakes $107710
Outstanding three year old ability wise but has very little ringcraft to go with it.
Does tend to over race something terrible but still sticks on in most of his races.
Will head forward but vulnerable if he doesn't get the front
Must include for trifecta and first four players.
6) Cold Crusher (Fling It) Starts 10 – Wins 0 – Seconds 4 – Thirds 1 – Stakes $8148
Still a maiden trotter after ten starts which gives you an idea of his chances in this field.
Hard to make a case for him on exposed form
Not for us.
7) Kyvalley Boomerang (Skyvalley) Starts 18 – Wins 3 – Seconds 2 – Thirds 6 – Stakes $38,088
Nice two year old who hasn't really kicked on at three.
Throw in the outside barrier of seven and his chances look bleak.
Not for us
SECOND LINE
8) Im Starlight Starbright (Monarchy) Starts 29 – Wins 4 – Seconds 0 – Thirds 5 – Stakes $25,764
First start in Australia for this Kiwi bred.
Does have ability but has been found wanting when racing the top level three year olds in New Zealand.
Liable to get well back from the draw.
Not for us.
9) Valley Ess Jay (Skyvalley) Starts 24 – Wins 5 – Seconds 4 – Thirds 4 – Stakes $49,448
Consistent and game young trotter who has kicked on really nicely at three.
Got home well in the Victorian Derby without looking a serious threat but driver change since then is significant.
Must have for the trifecta and first four players.
10) Speeding Spur (Pegasus Spur) Starts 21 – Wins 13 – Seconds 2 – Thirds 3 – Stakes $297,231
Champion three year old who even from the draw is the horse to beat.
Clearly outstayed these horses in the Victorian Derby after being savaged mid race and hard to see how any can turn the tables here.
Clear first pick for us
11) Aldebaran Kingsman (Skyvalley) Starts 2 – Wins 0 – Seconds 0 – Thirds 0 – Stakes
Maiden trotter who has only had two starts lifetime.
Hard to make a case for him.
Not for us.
12) Col Du Galibier (Great Success) Starts 8 – Wins 0 – Seconds 0 – Thirds 1 – Stakes $3040
Another maiden who has yet to set the world on fire.
The draw alone rules him out.
Not for us
13) Sonofatrump (Tennotrump) Starts 15 – Wins 0 – Seconds 1 – Thirds 3 – Stakes $5093 (Emerg1)
The emergency for the final who even if he made it back into the field does not have the exposed form to challenge most here.
Not for us.
SELECTIONS
Speeding Spur is a clear first pick for us.
All class and follows out Fabrication who gets off the gate so draw not as bad as it looks
Fabrication and Illawong Armstrong look the next two best with Valley Ess Jay a must for trifecta and first four takers.
After that it is a bit of a lottery.
Harnesslink Media