The sheer amount of racing in this part of the world this weekend means we won't really have the space to preview the Victoria Cup from Melton on Saturday night.
However, simply naming the field here gives you some idea of the depth:Lennytheshark, Franco Ledger, Beautide, Philadelphia Man, Im Corzin Terror, Christen Me, Terror To Love, Chilli Palmer (emergency), David Hercules, Guaranteed, For A Reason, Adore Me, Restrepo.
Now THAT is a tasty pacing field. If you're even a casual harness racing fan, make sure you tune in at 11.32pm on Saturday night.
Toast to the Taieri legend
Yesterday, hopefully, marked the start of a big weekend for one of the greats of Otago racing.
The White Robe Lodge Facebook page reliably informed us that Brian ''BJ'' Anderton turned 78 yesterday.
Not only is the White Robe Lodge Handicap firmly in the sights of the stable with Valiant and Tommy Tucker, but New Years Jay is flying the standardbred flag for Brian and the estate of his old mate Bryan ''Mouse'' Kennedy in the group 2 premier mares' championship at Addington tonight.
Every time I talk to Brian, I learn a little bit more about racing. Some would argue I'm starting from a very low base, mind you.
The champion is ...
Thanks for the 40-odd entries for the Where Champions Are Born book. Not a bad response, I thought, so we'll try and do a few more of these when I get my hands on some free stuff.
Anyway, the winner - done through the wonders of a random number generator on the internet - is Peter McQueen, of Dunedin.
Fancy a punt?
To continue the local theme, don't forget to head out to Wingatui tomorrow for Champions Day.
Once again, massive fields are the order of the day with plenty of South Island depth in the White Robe Lodge Handicap.
Belle Miraaj has already shown herself to be a class act and I genuinely feel she could be the next star from the lower South Island.
She headlines a strong Dunedin Guineas field.
While it won't be easy picking a winner there tomorrow, give it a crack - and if you are feeling particularly confident, enter the Punter Of The Year competition the club is holding at the track. Individuals need a $200 pool to enter, while teams need $400. Pop in to the race day office tomorrow for more details.
Lazy Fiver
With 400m to go in the last at Ascot Park on Saturday, I thought Queen Kenny was going to smash her rivals, but Poppymalda - for the red-hot Nathan Williamson team - flew home.
As mentioned further up the column, I think Belle Miraaj is one smart filly, and the $3 opening price for her in the fixed odds market is generous.
If it's still there on race day, get on.
