24 February 2021 | Chris Barsby
Following the opening leg of the 2021 Australian Pacing Gold Trotting Masters series, the big boppers are set for a rematch.
The Great Southern Star officially launched the Trotting Masters for this year earlier this month and grand performer Tornado Valley produced a performance of epic proportions taking the heat and final on the same night in career best time.
And now it’s time for take two.
The Gr.1 TAB Australian Trotting Grand Prix at TABCORP Park, Melton will take place this Saturday night, staged over 2240m under mobile start conditions with many of the Great Southern Star finalists gearing up for another shot at glory.
In fact, the first eight trotters past the post in the Great Southern Star back on February 5 will again come head-to-head in this weekend’s feature and the all-important barrier draw has thrown it wide open.
Two-times winning trainer Andy Gath will send out Tornado Valley (winner in 2018) and McLovin but both face second line draws.
Gath prepared inaugural winner La Coocaracha back in 2001.
The master conditioner has not started Tornado Valley since winning the Great Southern Star while McLovin was unplaced in last week’s Terang Trotters Cup.
Last year, Tornado Valley was the runner-up behind the recently retired Dance Craze.
Magicool, the runner-up behind Tornado Valley in the Great Southern Star, will command plenty of attention after drawing nicely in gate 4 for trainer Rob O’Connell and driver Zac Phillips.
Oozing plenty of talent, Magicool is chasing his third Gr.1 victory.
New Zealand ace Majestic Man lines-up for Phil and Brad Williamson but draws the second line (gate 10) but the stable knows what’s required to win this event after Allegro Agitato scored back in 2005.
Majestic Man finished fourth behind Tough Monarch in the Knight Pistol at his most recent outing.
The Majestic Son gelding is chasing his second Gr.1 victory during his summer campaign in Australia after scoring in the Dullard Cup back on January 30.
Pint sized mare Pink Galahs, fourth in the Great Southern Star, will start from gate five for trainer/driver Mattie Craven as she chases her fourth Gr.1 trophy.
The Skyvalley mare was unplaced in the Terang Trotters Cup at her most recent start and should appreciate a return to the mobile start conditions.
Gallant performer Sundons Courage again must overcome a difficult draw (gate 7) for trainer Brad Angove and driver Ryan Duffy.
The Gr.1 winner finished second behind Tough Monarch in the Knight Pistol last start.
Former New Zealand trotter Robbie Royale is chasing his maiden Gr.1 triumph and will start from gate 2 for trainer Brent Lilley and driver Chris Alford.
Lilley trained 2016 winner Keystone Del while the champion reinsman is yet to record a victory in the Grand Prix.
Last start Gr.1 winner Tough Monarch faces a tough challenge after landing gate 12 for trainer Rickie Alchin and driver Chris Svanosio but carries strong confidence into the event following his victory in the Knight Pistol at his most recent start.
Only four mares have won the Grand Prix since it was first staged back in 2001: La Coocaracha, Sumthingaboutmaori, Allegro Agitato and last years winner Dance Craze.
This year, three mares will start with Monaro Mia (gate 1), Pink Galahs and Red Hot Tooth (gate 8) and all are proven feature race winners.
Red Hot Tooth finished fourth last year behind Dance Craze.
Dance Craze was prepared by Anton Golino and this year is stable is represented by dual Gr.1 winner Always Ready who will start from gate 6.
Now training in partnership with Jack MacKinnon, Jason Lee will take the drive.
Sparkling Success, the beaten odds-on favourite behind Tornado Valley back in 2018, starts again for trainer/driver John Meade.
Off the scene for all of 2019 owing to injury, the multiple Gr.1 winner will start from gate 3.
The Australian Grand Prix is the second leg of the six-race series for 2021.
As it stands following the Great Southern Star, Tornado Valley has maximum points of 100 followed by Magicool (60) and Majestic Man (40).
The TAB Australian Grand Prix is listed as race 7 on the program and scheduled to start at 9.16pm local time.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
