There are some fantastic feature trotting races occurring around the country this weekend including the coveted Group 3 Chris Howe Trotters Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton this Saturday, for which the up-and-coming talent Heyzeal is gearing up for.
The $20 000 Chris Howe will be the Victorian trotter’s most challenging test to date as she aims to maintain her undefeated Australian record of three from three.
The Dean Braun-trained Heyzeal is coming from a tight but impressive win in the Goulburn Murray Credit Union Kilmore Trotters Cup on SEW Eurodrive Kilmore Cup Day, which bought her record to eight wins from 21 career starts. All of her victories have been by small margins, a slight concern for Braun who puts the marginal wins down to her tendency to pull last start whilst racing midfield, which is common to her breed.
Daughter of extraordinary sire Sundown, five-year-old Heyzeal is fast rising through the nation’s trotting ranks along with her champion driver Gavin Lang. Braun hopes to evolve the promising trotter from emerging start to top-flight runner.
Her competition will be stiff on Saturday night as she comes up against a quality field of trotters including the refreshed Ronerail returning from a short break, and the ever consistent In Pursuit.
The Chris Howe Trotters Cup is scheduled as the eighth race on the nine race program at Melton on Saturday night, moved from the traditional Friday night timeslot to correspond with the presentation of the annual Gordon Rothacker medal. The Gordon Rothacker medal will be awarded to an individual to acknowledge their exceptional and continual contribution to harness racing in Victoria.
Other notable races held on the night include the four heats of the Spring Championship.
Group 3 Chris Howe Trotters Cup Final Field:
# |
Form |
Horse |
Trainer |
Driver |
Class |
| 1 | 31473 |
DREAM A MOMENT (NZ) |
K E Manning | Kerryn Manning | T9 TM1 |
| 2 | 84444 |
SUNSET TRUSCOTT |
C N Angove | Clinton McSwain | T5 TM1 |
| 3 | 15458 |
PEPPERELL DANCER |
D J Woolcock | Daryl Woolcock | T11 TM2 |
| 4 | 75014 |
EARL OF MOT (NZ) |
L J Justice | Lance Justice | T8 TM2 |
| 5 | 14036 |
FALSE GEM |
R B Conroy | Glenn Conroy | T11 TM3 |
| 6 | 1s111 |
HEYZEAL (NZ) |
D F Braun | Gavin Lang | T7 TM2 |
| 7 | 4s485 |
MONTROSE KID (NZ) |
M C Marais | Daryl Douglas | T10 TM1 |
Second Row: |
|||||
| 8 | 82222 |
IN PURSUIT (NZ) |
M C Marais | Michael Marais | T8 TM1 |
| 9 | 30831 |
LA MOSCA |
G J Bailey | Ross Payne | T10 TM3 |
| 10 | 5123s |
RONERAIL |
M A Hughes | Jodi Quinlan | T13 TM4 |
Tabcorp Park Melton Race Programme – Saturday 14th November:
| Race 1 | Tabcorp Park Melton Spring Championship Heat 1 (2240m) | M0 only | 6:30pm |
| Race 2 | SEW-Eurodrive Spring Championship Heat 2 (2240m) | M0 only | 7:00pm |
| Race 3 | Big6 Spring Championship Heat 3 (2240m) | M0 only | 7:30pm |
| Race 4 | Choicehotels.com.au 4YO Pace (1720m) | C1 To C4 | 8:02pm |
| Race 5 | Dallas Building Pace (1720m) | M1 only | 8:30pm |
| Race 6 | Sky Racing Spring Championship Heat 4 (2240m) | M0 only | 9:02pm |
| Race 7 | Rothacker Medal Night Pace (2240m) | M2 To M4 | 9:30pm |
| Race 8 | Group 3 Chris Howe Trotters Cup (2760m) | TM1 or better | 10:00pm |
| Race 9 | Renown Silverware Claiming Pace (2240) | 10:30pm |
