Aaron Goadsby has campaigned just one horse here in Victoria over the years, but is hoping his latest decision to attack our borders will prove a fruitful one.
The New South Wales-based harness racing trainer prepares two starters for tonightās (Aug. 2) Nutrien Equine Classic heat for two-year-old fillies at Bendigo, with Ignite The Fire (Vincent) and Sweet Valeria (Sweet Lou) making up half of the four-horse field.
Goadsby sent the stablemates interstate with foreman Darrel Standen to avoid star Rickie Alchin-trained filly Lux Aeterna in the NSW Nutrien qualifiers, but to also chase lucrative Vicbred bonuses with the pair.
āThey wonāt be too far away in a four-horse field,ā Goadsby joked.
āIām just dodging and weaving to try and earn the most for the owners.
āThey got there Monday morning and theyāre ready to go.ā
Goadsby, who once brought La La Bron to Victoria for a fourth placing in an APG 4YO Mares Final duringĀ 2021, felt the market had his two runners in the correct order.
Ignite The Fire is a $1.75 favourite from barrier one, while Sweet Valeria is $6. Andy Gath-trained Thesunandthemoon ($2.70) is first-up from Western Australia, while Jodi Quinlan has Internal Blue ($13) as the outsider of the field.
āIgnite The Fire has got the runs on the board,ā Goadsby said.
āI took her to Queensland in January and February and she won a couple early. She run second in a heat of the Gold Tiara and made the final, and has only had the one run back.
āSweet Valeria was always a little bit behind her (stablemate), but she is improving and is definitely good enough to pick up some good money while she is down there.ā
Tonightās meeting at Bendigo will also see Nutrien Equine Classic heats for two-year-old colts and geldings, three-year-old colts and geldings and three-year-old fillies.
All roads lead to lucrative finals, which are back at Lordās Raceway on August 11.
Heats for the trotters are scheduled to take place at Kilmore tomorrow night.
For complete race entries,Ā click here.
byĀ Tim OāConnor,Ā for Harness Racing Victoria