THE Victorians are hitting NSW’s Carnival of Miracles in force.
But the logistics of travel with Victoria’s ongoing COVID-19 concerns and clashes with key Melton meetings is proving a real headache.
We know David Moran scrambled to get across the border with Lochinvar Art and his NSW Derby hopeful Patsbeachstorm late Friday. He’s bunkered down in “enemy territory” at Luke and Belinda McCarthy’s barn near Menangle.
Now the powerhouse Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin team is working through getting as many as 10 pacers from Ballarat to Menangle over the next week or so.
Who travels with them? Will there be border closures? Who will drive them all?
“We’ve got Tough Tilly, Rogue Wave, Platinum Sparkle and Beach Music for the Oaks heats this week and Maajida and Rockasaki for the mares’ race (Robin Dundee),” Tonkin said.
“Then the next week it’s Idyllic, Act Now and maybe Jacks Hawk for the Derby heats along with Out To Play for the sprints to try and get into the Miracle Mile.
“But there’s a heck of a lot to work through. Can I send someone with them or do we have to send them to another trainer? Who can I get to drive them all?”
Tonkin is almost resigned to having to use local NSW drivers along with Moran given the travel and/or quarantine challenges any Victorian drivers could face along with the fact the key Menangle meetings clash some big meetings in Victoria as well.
Tough Tilly is a dominant favourite for the NSW Oaks and Kate Gath loves her, but Tonkin expects her to stay in Victoria for the all the reasons above. Gath’s got the Group 1 Australian Trotting Grand Prix with Tornado Valley at Melton on NSW Oaks night.
Luke McCarthy and Moran are front-runners to drive Tough Tilly.
Tonkin also hopes to grab McCarthy to drive one of key Derby runners, probably Idyllic.
Challenges aside, there will be plenty for Victorians to cheer for through the Carnival of Miracles.
It all starts when our champ and Australasia’s best pacer Lochinvar Art steps out in Friday night’s Group 1 Newcastle Mile.
Owner-breeder Kevin Gordon, who lives just outside Newcastle, can’t wait to “show-off” his amazing pacer to locals.
“There’s a real buzz through the Hunter. It’s got everyone talking. There’s lots of people saying they’ll go along to see what all the fuss is about,” he said. “It’s not just great for this area, but this horse is great for the sport as a whole. He’s a people’s horse.”
Along with so many key runners in the Oaks and Derby, Victorians will also have Kowalski Analysis and Boots Electric to cheer for in Saturday night’s $200,000 Group 1 Chariots Of Fire.
It’s worth noting the improving Boots Electric has history on his side. The past four winners of the 4YO Bonanza at Melton have gone on to win the Chariots: Lazarus (2017), Jilliby Kung Fu (2018), Poster Boy (2019) and Lochinvar Art (last year).
by Adam Hamilton