Victoria Cup.

[mattys123]

Tonight sees the first time the Victoria Cup is to be run at Melton (Tabcorp Park), the race that has been called the "Cox Plate" of Australasian Harness Racing seems to be a cracker of a race.

Run at 9.40pm tonight, the field includes;

Smoken Up;
The horse that lead the miracle mile in record time just to be out pointed in the last few strides. Drawn one here, huge chance, will lead.

Blacks a Fake;
The grand old horse of Harness Racing, and still racing well. Ignore the Miracle Mile run, as the backmakers had no chance, and with the right run is a big chance.

Melpark Major;
Won this race last year, and was the unlucky runner in the Miracle Mile. Will have to work at some point, but is as tough as they come.

Bettor's Strike;
Cranbourne Cup winner who has drawn very well just behind Smoken Up. If SU can hold on till the straight, is a huge chance of an upset.

Monkey King;
Miracle Mile winner in record time, although had the run of the race. Going for 4 group 1's in a row, but has drawn terribly in 13. Will be saved for one last run, if the pressure is on up front, will storm home.

Mr Feelgood;
American horse who has speed, and always seems to run well in the big races. Is the blowout chance.


Should be a great race, with Smoken Up the obvious favourite, but it won't get the race it's own way, Melpark Major and a few others will make sure of that.

I'll be on Monkey King again, just because he gave me so much in the Miracle Mile, but I believe Melpark Major is a bloody good bet here too.

Enjoy.

 

[Childish Gambino]

Great write up. I'll be there tonight. I've been lucky enough to be involved in a winner of the Victoria Cup and I can tell you it is one of the best experiences ever.

My tip is Melpark Major, absolulely love the horse. There will be a bit of value about it also.

Can't Bluff Me as my roughie. Will need a lot of luck but roughies can get up in the Victoria Cup.

 

[Ron]

I'll be on Blacky.

 

[mattys123]

I'll be on Blacky.

The great horse loomed up half way down the straight, and even though I didn't back him, I was hoping Blacks would win.

Bettors Strike just got the best run of the race, which seems to be the way you win Group 1 races now.

Smoken Up was brilliant as ever, while Monkey Kings run was huge, but was never really in it.

Good race still, and the winner is the most improved horse in Australasia.

 

[Childish Gambino]

The great horse loomed up half way down the straight, and even though I didn't back him, I was hoping Blacks would win.

Bettors Strike just got the best run of the race, which seems to be the way you win Group 1 races now.

Smoken Up was brilliant as ever, while Monkey Kings run was huge, but was never really in it.

Good race still, and the winner is the most improved horse in Australasia.

Absolutley flew home from almost last on the turn in a 27.3 last quarter.

Disappointed with the drive on Can't Bluff Me. The only chance it had of winning the race was to be driven for luck. So he sits 3 wide without cover for the last lap. No horse in that race could win with that run. Oh well.

Melpark Major looked good until the pressure was applied and found nothing. Not the horse it was 12 months ago.

Blacks A Fake is not even close to the horse he was 12 months ago and probably should be retired. Had the run of the race last night and got out in plenty of time.

Bettor Strike was a good win but had everything go its way. Seems to be that once again Victoria has produced another leaders bias track. If you're not up on the speed you simiply can't win.

As for Melton. It was my first time there and I can say it's just too far away. Why schedule an event that starts at 6.05pm on a working day when the only way to get there is to drive an hour through peak hour traffic.

The grandstand is tiny compared to Moonee Valley, the atmosphere was ok and the crowd was ok also. Not sure on official figures. It was very windy that night and I'm not sure whether that is the norm for Melton. Facilities were good it was very easy to put a bet on etc. They had a viewing area at the stables where you didn't need a pass which was very good.

One thing that does confuse me though is why the sprint lane comes up so late. They seem to get a quarter of the way into the straight before the sprint lane comes up forcing drivers to push off the inside.

In all an ok night out. Pretty much left straight after the Vic Cup as I had no money left in the wallet.

 

[FFB1]

As for Melton. It was my first time there and I can say it's just too far away. Why schedule an event that starts at 6.05pm on a working day when the only way to get there is to drive an hour through peak hour traffic.

The grandstand is tiny compared to Moonee Valley, the atmosphere was ok and the crowd was ok also. Not sure on official figures. It was very windy that night and I'm not sure whether that is the norm for Melton. Facilities were good it was very easy to put a bet on etc. They had a viewing area at the stables where you didn't need a pass which was very good.

We've run out there a few times now incl last night - had to leave work at 3:30pm (Box Hill) to ensure we got out there for ours (race 1) - took just on 2 hours.

A couple of times we've ran there its been raining which made the lawn area a mud track - from what i know they left it too late to lay the grass? There also has to be some reason why they didnt make the roof over the grandstand go out a bit further as the seating is open to the elements. When its raining inside the main betting area is just packed (but we head down the owners room so it doesnt bother us too much - I am feeling the effects of too much crumbed squid last night).

Last night was the most perfect night I've seen thus far - if that was windy you shoulda seen it at the breeders heats.. chairs went flying and the mats they had down to protect the grass rolled up in the wind. Not sure if they are doing it but if there are trees that grown around the track it may assist a little with the wind coming across as yes, its very open.

Positives are the setup - like it - however it is a decent hike for where I am (although Moonee Valley used to be a hell of a drive getting up Alexandra Parade) - good for the punters if its not raining. As you say good for the punters who can go down into the stables. Would be better if the parade ring was closer to the grandstand and not way down the back but to be honest most of the folk who we've seen there arent there for the racing so probably couldnt care less - was surprised last night as only saw one fight and that was right at the end out the front - first meeting (trials) there were two brawls in the public area and have seen at least one fight on each occasion been there - interesting people out that way - classic was breeders crown final where a late 50's woman was dressed up to the nines and wearing a Jim Beam racing jacket - classy.

 

[Pecker]

We've run out there a few times now incl last night - had to leave work at 3:30pm (Box Hill) to ensure we got out there for ours (race 1) - took just on 2 hours.

A couple of times we've ran there its been raining which made the lawn area a mud track - from what i know they left it too late to lay the grass? There also has to be some reason why they didnt make the roof over the grandstand go out a bit further as the seating is open to the elements. When its raining inside the main betting area is just packed (but we head down the owners room so it doesnt bother us too much - I am feeling the effects of too much crumbed squid last night).

Last night was the most perfect night I've seen thus far - if that was windy you shoulda seen it at the breeders heats.. chairs went flying and the mats they had down to protect the grass rolled up in the wind. Not sure if they are doing it but if there are trees that grown around the track it may assist a little with the wind coming across as yes, its very open.

Positives are the setup - like it - however it is a decent hike for where I am (although Moonee Valley used to be a hell of a drive getting up Alexandra Parade) - good for the punters if its not raining. As you say good for the punters who can go down into the stables. Would be better if the parade ring was closer to the grandstand and not way down the back but to be honest most of the folk who we've seen there arent there for the racing so probably couldnt care less - was surprised last night as only saw one fight and that was right at the end out the front - first meeting (trials) there were two brawls in the public area and have seen at least one fight on each occasion been there - interesting people out that way - classic was breeders crown final where a late 50's woman was dressed up to the nines and wearing a Jim Beam racing jacket - classy.

I'm pretty sure Moonee Valley had teething problems and was compared to the Showgrounds when it first opened too. They'll get there. We needed it! Not too sure what you do about the socially challenged cliental from the area who frequent Tabcorp Park. Maybe start charging at the gate on normal Friday night meetings perhaps?

 

[sethlad]

Im willing to accept a few teething problems as they rushed to get it ready for B Crown
but the bigger issue for me is some of the original planning decisions

There is no betting ring whatsoever,I understand the days of 15 bookies at the trots are well gone
but how can you plan a brand new,state of the art racing complex without even a small betting area?
Stuffing 2 bookies into an already overcrowded bar just doesnt cut it.
I havent seen Menangle,does it have a bookies ring?

As an owner I appreciate the owners room but it couldnt be further away from the stables unless it was in another suburb.
At the majority of meetings,most of the crowd are owners,especially in winter.
Again it was an afterthought & thats just ridiculous.

Overall the racing was excellent but the Vic Cup must go back to 2700m

seth

 

[mattys123]

Overall the racing was excellent but the Vic Cup must go back to 2700m

seth

This I agree with.

The race is too short at the moment, and just seems to really favour the horses in the first 5-6.

Now we are running it on a bigger track, take the distance back out please.

 

[Pecker]

Im willing to accept a few teething problems as they rushed to get it ready for B Crown
but the bigger issue for me is some of the original planning decisions

There is no betting ring whatsoever,I understand the days of 15 bookies at the trots are well gone
but how can you plan a brand new,state of the art racing complex without even a small betting area?
Stuffing 2 bookies into an already overcrowded bar just doesnt cut it.
I havent seen Menangle,does it have a bookies ring?

As an owner I appreciate the owners room but it couldnt be further away from the stables unless it was in another suburb.
At the majority of meetings,most of the crowd are owners,especially in winter.
Again it was an afterthought & thats just ridiculous.

Overall the racing was excellent but the Vic Cup must go back to 2700m

seth

I would have thought the reason they don't have a big bookmakers ring is in the name. TABCORP PARK.

 

[sethlad]

They have plenty of TAB's at Betfair Park

seth