Amazing Dream firms after Vic Cup draw

Unless you’re in the King Of Swing camp, this is the just the barrier draw Saturday night’s Victoria Cup needed.

The champion former Kiwi pacer drew outside the back row (gate 13), which is made even harder by the short 2150m trip around a noted on-pace/peg runner biased Bendigo track.

Stand-in driver David Moran has plenty of thinking, planning and tactics to consider now.

The draw was a bit kinder to superstar Kiwi mare Amazing Dream (gate five), but she does have noted fast beginners like Torrid Saint (one), Max Delight (two) and Majestic Cruiser (four) drawn inside her.

She showed wonderful gate speed during the Queensland Winter, but does driver Anthony Butt cut her loose this time?

King Of Swing eased from $1.80 to $2.50 after the draw, while Amazing Dream actually firmed from $4 to $3.40.

Another former Kiwi pacer Triple Eight is $7.50 third elect from inside the back row (gate eight), but will likely be three pegs at best.

Jason Grimson’s in-form NSW raider Majestic Cruiser is a $23 shot and gun Victorian freelancer Zac Phillips has picked-up the drive.

Miracle Mile placegetter Wolf Stride, who is struggling to regain his best form, is a $41 shot from outside the front row (gate seven).

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Emerging trotting star Majestuoso looks to have the Group 1 Bill Collins Trotters’ Sprint (1650m) at his mercy from gate three.

Andy Gath’s new stable star has spent much of his career out of the draw, but he packs plenty of gate speed and looks the likely leader.

Anton Golino’s exciting four-year-old mare Im Ready Jet will be a key player from gate two, while defending champion Pink Galahs is right in the mix if she can hold leader’s back from the pole.

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Former high-class Kiwi pacer American Dealer gets his chance to add the Victoria Derby to his Queensland Derby win.

Now with Nathan Purdon, American Dealer drew superbly in gate two, with one of his main danger and brilliant beginner Act Now right next door (three).

American Dealer is some hope of holding the front or, if not, he should be behind Act Now and get the sprint lane.

The other Derby big guns are Major Moth (seven) and Bondi Lockdown (12), who will need luck from challenging barriers.

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Now we wait and see who David Moran will drive in the Victoria Oaks final.

Moran qualified both Ladies In Red and Beach Music and wouldn’t rule out switching from Ladies In Red, pending the barrier draw.

The scene is set with Beach Music drawing three and Ladies In Red the back row (gate 10). The other major player is yet another Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin filly, Joanna, from barrier six.

HRNZ