Harness
Australian Harness Racing Preview - Saturday, October 11
The clash between boom trotter Keayang Zahara and Inter Dominion winner Arcee Phoenix is an enticing supporting act to the return of champion pacer Leap To Fame at Melton on Saturday night.
Traner-driver Grant Dixon decided Leap To Fame needed another hitout before next week's Victoria Cup and will send the superstar around in the Smoken Up Sprint.
The stallion is dominating betting at $1.07 but the Dullard Trotters Cup is looking a more competitive affair with two of the best trotters in the country going head-to-head.
Keayang Zahara makes her first appearance since her second in the Macarthur Mile in Sydney in May, her first defeat in 16 starts.
She draws wide and is giving away race fitness to some of her rivals but has been readied with two trials wins so could return to her winning ways.
Arcee Phoenix has been a fair way from the winner in two starts since a spell but has come from sizeable handicaps each time. He is building in fitness and the return to a mobile start could see him produce his best.
Great Southern Star winner Watts Up Partytime has been readied for his return with three trials and strikes at 50 per cent when fresh so could challenge while Ollivici has won a trial since his resuming fourth five weeks ago and can be competitive.
The programs features three heats of the Victoria Derby and the first in particular is full of depth with the second, third and fourth horses home in last month's Eureka at Menangle all clashing.
Hesitate was rolled as a hot favourite in Sydney last start but that should have brought him on and he was racing well at the top level prior with placings in the Eureka and Queensland Derby.
He might need a touch of luck from the back row but owns a strong strike rate at Melton.
Fox Dan has been freshened since he beat several of these rivals when runner-up in the Eureka. He won three in a row at Melton prior and draws for a trail.
Go Miki is progressive and won four in a row before his good effort for fourth in the Eureka where he came from a wider barrier and got close to the placegetters. He could turn the tables from the good draw.
Rising Sun winner Fate Awaits tackles Jason Grimson's Our Sweet Delight and the Emma Stewart pair of Storms Collide and Captain Perfect in heat two while Stewart has a strong hand in the final heat but will have to overcome in-form Sydneysider Sao Paulo Simba who is aided by a good draw.
Kiwi visitor Joyride adds some interest to the Victoria Oaks heats when she tackles the accomplished Let Her Roll while Queensland Oaks winner Soho Americano and Tasmanian Oaks winner Beach Diamond go head-to-head in the other.
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