Four Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series heats will be run and won at Ballarat tonight as the harness racing two-year-old trotters begin their journey.
Home Grown Classic winners Princess Phoenix and Charlie Runkle have drawn gates two and one respectively in their races, Princess Phoenix from the David Aiken stable expected to be very hard to beat in the fillies’ heat.
Aiken said Princess Phoenix boasted speed, which many two-year-old trotting fillies aren’t able to show until later in their careers.
“We’re very happy with what she’s done so far,” Aiken said.
“She was good against the boys last start and she showed she’s got good speed home when she won before that.
“That speed will hold her in good stead moving forward.”
Charlie Runkle ran in the Tatlow Stakes on June 5 after galloping badly early.
He lost plenty of ground but picked up again late to charge to the line for to run third beaten 3.4m by Kyvalley Tinman.
The latter trotter has drawn gate two, outside Charlie Runkle, here for the in-form Brent Lilley/Anthony Butt combination.
But there are potential stars aplenty in the field with Shetland, Skyflyer, Calder Knight, Sundons Courage and Cruisin Around making it basically a who’s who of the 2YO male trot class.
Race 4 at Ballarat sees a field of six go around in the 4YO Mares’ Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series fourth heat.
Quick Draft was ultra-impressive running second to Berisari last time out at Bendigo, producing some blistering closing sectionals. She’s drawn gate five here.
Also in the field are So Demanding from the pole, Blitzsuzy, Longtan Bliss, Milady Denver and the very much in-form Lucky Metro.
Heat four of the 2YO Colts and Geldings Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series is Race 5 with Heath Redwood pair Iconic Valor and Showgun Thomas both expected to figure prominently.
TUESDAY NIGHT @ BALLARAT
Race 1: 2YO Trotting Fillies 1st Heat
Race 2: 2YO Trotting Colts & Geldings 1st Heat
Race 4: 4YO Mares 4th Heat
Race 5: 2YO Colts & Geldings 4th Heat
Cody Winnell