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Harness Racing Victoria’s efforts at promoting last Saturday Victoria Cup appear to have paid off following release of statistics from the evening.
Such was the calibre of the top class field that betting turnover on the event was up 67 per cent on the previous year making this year’s edition as Victoria’s second-highest turnover harness race on recent record.
HRV’s chief executive officer Matt Isaacs was buoyant in his analysis.
“It is extremely satisfying to see the terrific fan and punter engagement for a sensational night at Melton Entertainment Park,” Isaacs said. “This is much-deserved reward for a hard-working industry that puts on an elite product, especially the talented participants, but also our partners, including at Channel 7 and Sportsbet, and the small, dedicated teams behind the scenes, including at HRV and Melton.”
“The total card was Victoria’s sixth highest for turnover at a harness racing meeting on recent record, which shows incredible connection with a broad audience and bucks industry trends.”
Indeed such impressive numbers were testament to the quality of all five Group 1 events as well the supporting card. It was encouraging to see a full crowd on the front lawn cheering on each event most notably the Victoria Cup itself.
As for the racing, it couldn’t have gone better for the promoters.
A promising field of two year olds battled it out in the Shakamaker Classic which saw Micheal Stanley’s classy pair of Soho Park Avenue (Bettors Delight) and Soho Charmer fight out the finish with the former winning impressively. Both colts have a sound future and next seasons Derbies beckon.
The Victoria Oaks was won by Soho Americano (American Ideal) who held all her rivals at bay. The diminutive filly was a narrow second in the New South Wales Oaks but won the Queensland Oaks in July. Beach Diamond who came from back in the field was gallant in finishing a close second.
The appearance of favoured trotting mare Keayang Zahara (Volstead) would have been a factor in attracting crowd numbers and she didn’t let her supporters down with an accomplished all the way win in the Bill Collins Sprint. It was her 17th win from 18 starts and she goes from strength to strength. However the event unearthed a new star in Keayang Zahara’s stablemate Jilliby Ballerini who has improved leaps and bounds since last season.
There appears to be no stopping Fox Dan (Art Major) after his courageous win in the Victoria Derby Final and he is sure to move towards the top league of pacers for next season. Following a somewhat unlucky second in the Eureka Fox Dan looks all class and ready to hit the big time as he graduates into top company.
The highlight of the night was the outstanding finishing sprint of Kingman (Always B Miki) who took out the Victoria Cup. He’s improved leaps and bounds since joining Luke McCarthy’s stable and is already being touted as a serious contender the Summer Carnival of Cups including the AG Hunter early next year.
Tracy The Jet (Love You) looks every inch the rising star when she gave an awesome display of front running to take out the Victoria Oaks and lowering the colours of New South Wales Derby and Oaks winner Gatesys Gem. Both fillies are a cut above the other fillies currently racing and are sure to engage in some intriguing clashes in the future.
And there has to be mention for consistent mare Surfingmakescents (Vincent) who showed plenty of grit in winning the Group 3 Ladyship Cup.
Driving honours on the night were with Luke McCarthy who secured a treble and once again established his reputation as being the master of big ticket and classic features.
The other factor in Melton’s highly successful evening was the presence of Interstate runners with representatives from New South Wales, Queensland, New Zealand and Tasmania. As with thoroughbred racing bringing together the best from each state to match against the locals is a surefire way of attracting crowds and increased betting turnover.
Harness Racing in Victoria now moves towards the Summer Carnival of Cups but before then we have the Vicbred Super Series to run throughout November, followed by December’s Breeders Crown.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
