Vicbred Super Series 2020

[Messenger]

4yo heats kick off at Bendigo tomorrow night. With only 25 mares we only need 1 more scratching and they will all qualify for the Semi's any way

3yo heats at Ballarat on Friday will be far more meaningful. The colts will have to finish first 4 to make the semi's as there are 6 heats

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN101220

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA111220

I haven't read anything about the public being able to attend

[Messenger]

The fields for the 2yo's at Shep on Sunday are out now too
Should be easy for the good fillies as with only 3 heats, 8 of 11 should qualify for the semis

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SP131220

[Messenger]

We got another scratching in the 4yo mares tonight and although the fact that we have fields of 8, 7 & 9 for the heats made me wonder if only 8 in each heat would go through - I figure all 24 will go through to the semis based on:

8.7 – If any qualified horse is unable to take its place in the Final (or subsequent race of the series), the next highest ranked horse based on finishing position and mile rate will be declared the qualifier. It is the responsibility of the trainer to ascertain whether or not such horse has qualified for the Final.

[Messenger]

Good to see the Track staff/stewards on the ball in R1 at Ballarat.
I noticed in the first lap that some runner knocked a peg cover right off and it was lying on the track - I was thinking there was going to be carnage when they came around again if the leader tried to jump it or one of those following trod on it - thankfully it wasn't there
We need to have a look at Ballarat's pegs as this should not be possible IMO

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA111220#BAC11122005

[Messenger]

Not many casualties amongst the favoured runners in the 3yo heats at Ballarat
Assuming they're semis of 12, I think even Sweet Louise's 5th was fast enough to get through (she certainly raced unkindly last night)

[Messenger]

The semi's are next Tuesday
In the 2yo C&G all 4 heat winners have drawn the 2nd semi
No Sweet Louise in the 3yo F semi

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX221220

[Messenger]

Sweet Louise lame

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=46194

[Messenger]

Im Ready Jet the only casualty shock from today's trotters heats

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MH211220#MHC21122010

[Messenger]

Sky2 is supposed to be exclusively Vicbred Semis tonight
I ditched Foxtel a while ago but being with family in Melbourne - I will take a look
R1 in 50min

[Messenger]

Congratulations to Anne again
If we finally permit the public to Finals night on New Year's Eve
All the attending ladies dressed in red should receive a 'free champagne token'
(With media promotion of such of course)

[Messenger]

On the coverage tonight they were discussing the subtle difference between the Stewart and Tonkin colors
But they forgot to say how bloody ordinary they look

[Bonnie]

That’s a great idea Kevin! Not so excited now that the Barrier Draws for the Finals are out.

[Messenger]

With 2 stablemates outside her, I think David will get her into the running line

[Messenger]

The draws for the Finals have not affected the markets really. A little trickier for Ladies In Red but she should be right

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/vicbred-finals-barrier-draw-results-for-vss20-finals/

Ps I didn't see the draw but looking at the pic, it would seem as though they improved the production

[Messenger]

Kimble qualified last night but still a maiden the Cravens did not want him to miss out on his 2yo bonus and he deservedly notched it up in R1 at Horsham today


http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HS231220#HSC23122008

[Messenger]

I sent the idea to HRV but I didn't get a reply
But we have not heard anything about their plan for a crowd and it is only 4 days away
Bendigo promoted their Lang tribute night earlier this month better than HRV are promoting New Year's Eve
(Maybe it is no sure thing to happen)

[Adaptor]

I sent the idea to HRV but I didn't get a reply
But we have not heard anything about their plan for a crowd and it is only 4 days away
Bendigo promoted their Lang tribute night earlier this month better than HRV are promoting New Year's Eve
(Maybe it is no sure thing to happen)

Bendigo is fortunate to have the full support of The Bendigo Advertiser and their passionate racing writer Kieran Iles, and the wonderfully innovative Paul Campbell, with Campbell's Comments using all the social media channels. His work around the Lang Tribute night with Graeme Johannesen (True Roman) and Chris Lang was first class.

[Messenger]

I just drove past Tabcorp Park on my way back to the Gap and saw nothing promoting New Year's Eve - Are we hosting the general public ?????????????????

A good article spruiking the program from Adam Hamilton but no mention as to whether there is an event on
It did contain the interesting info that

Four of the marquee Vicbred finals will be part of a 90-minute coverage on free-to-air (7mate) from 8pm, starting with Major Moth against Idyllic in the 2YO pacing colts and geldings final.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/the-hot-seat-thursday-night-fireworks-to-ignite-terrific-summer/

[Messenger]

Toohard has let me know that the Tabcorp Park website is where the info has been (the only place it has been as far as I can tell but I am not a facebooker)

https://www.tabcorppark.com.au/entertainment/poker/

SOLD OUT – FREE Ticketed General Admission (Main Lawn)

Our New Year’s Eve event is a bit different this year, we now have a night of premium racing featuring the Vicbred Super Series, DJ entertainment, Food Trucks, Public Bar and Fireworks at Midnight. But like many events we are currently under Covid guidelines and restrictions, this means that we have limited spots available on our lawn and unfortunately no kids activities this year.
General Admission Entry (Main Lawn Only – Venue accessibility not included)


Dining Packages are available within the venue –

Bistro Dining – 3 Course Selected Menu – $69 per person

Sky Box Dining – 3 Course Set Menu and Beverage Package $128 per person

Private Corporate Suite Packages – (Max 20 Guests) – Canape & Beverages from $129 per person

I wonder how many General Admission tickets they had - had to be a local to know about it I guess

ps I wonder if you book a dining seat whether you are allowed to move to watch the race live

[Messenger]

With the Vicbred Bronze and Silver Paces, they are racing for $198k at Bendigo tonight (6x$25k and 4x$12k)

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN291220

[Messenger]

A new article mostly promoting the TV offering for NYE (a look on Tabcorp Park's website reveals the dining packages are now sold out too)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/vicbred-finals-magical-melton-to-see-out-2020-in-super-series-style/

I suppose 7Mate is a start but sadly VERY few free to air viewers venture off 2,7,9 & 10's main channels

[Messenger]

There is an Adjourned Inquiry into the 4yo mares Silver Pace won by Madame Annie.
The other Kilmore runner has copped a QDT and both were Swabbed Pre Meeting

The NSW runners were pretty impressive winning 2 races
The Mustang did it at both ends of the race
While Jenden Strike sat 3w for all of the last lap and more and probably ran her last half in 55

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN291220

[Messenger]

Three $25k Silver Trots at Kilmore today
The first is R2 at 12.35 - we wouldn't have seen too many $25k races at this time on a Wednesday

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=KI301220

[Messenger]

So how big a payday will it be for the Stewart/Tonkin stable?
They have runners in 9 of the 12 Gp1's
In 5 of these they have the favourite (or Eq fav)
In 3 of these they have the top 2 picks (in the 2yo Fillies they have the top 5)

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX311220

[Messenger]

I am guessing it will be a bit cool at Melton this evening (beautiful up here in the W/NW) but for those seated inside it will not be a problem
The fav wins the first

[Messenger]

I know it is early but looking over the shoulders of the TrotsVision commentators, it looks like there are very few on the lawn - how many tickets were allocated?
I am thinking it couldn't have been very many at all

[Messenger]

The overhead replay we just saw for R3 would suggest that there wouldn't be anywhere near 500 on the lawn

[Messenger]

Don't forget 7Mate have us on from 8pm to 9.30pm
The aim is to reach a wider audience
Let's hope we sell the horses - this should not be aimed at punters and should not have too much panel talk (interviews and features are the order of the night)

[Messenger]

On Trots Vision Rob just mentioned they were only allowed to allocate 1,000 tickets and who knows if that included diners

[aussiebreno]

Don't forget 7Mate have us on from 8pm to 9.30pm
The aim is to reach a wider audience
Let's hope we sell the horses - this should not be aimed at punters and should not have too much panel talk (interviews and features are the order of the night)

Cant wait for the 2yo trotter ls to be showcased....not

[Messenger]

Cant wait for the 2yo trotter ls to be showcased....not

It was a good thing that they did not cover the 3yo trotters - the filly fav threw it away in the str while the colt fav who had won 8/8 could have been a late scratching to protect the punters as he never wanted to be there

[Messenger]

The highlights for me were the pacing fillies and mares plus Lochinvar Art

[Messenger]

A great write up of the night

http://www.harnesslink.com/Australia/Vicbred-Super-Series-Grand-Final-Night

[Messenger]

Watching replays, actually a recording of the 7Mate coverage
Having satellite TV at home, 7Mate is still 7's HD channel (that is how far behind the times VAST TV is) but in this case I get a beautiful picture
The camera shot from inside the track down the back straight looks a bit better BUT still of an inferior video quality. The fact that they don't use it on the final lap is an admission that it isn't as good - so why use it at all (trying too hard)

Kimble with the soft trip was too good for them
However it would be easier to believe in Santa than to believe that he raced twice in 14 hours for any other reason than to collect a Vicbred bonus