THE marbles have fallen superbly for an epic opening to the rich Breeders Crown series at Bendigo on Friday night.
Remarkably, three of the biggest stars in the 3YO colts and geldings series – Captain Ravishing, Ripp and Major Perry – will clash in by far the strongest three heats of the series.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact they’ve drawn the three inside barriers: Major Perry (one), Ripp (two) and Captain Ravishing (three).
The Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin-trained Captain Ravishing is top seed for the series with big names like Leap To Fame, Akuta and Catch A Wave all missing.
But he is no certainty to win his heat now he’s drawn outside his two main dangers.
The glamour trio haven’t raced since clashing in the Victoria Derby won by Leap To Fame at Melton on October 8. Ripp ran second, Captan Ravishing fifth and Major Perry sixth.
Much will depend on Doug Hewitt’s tactics with Ripp from gate two, given he is likely to get across Major Perry at the start.
Will he want to hold the front or be happy to take a trail on Captain Ravishing, given it is just a qualifying heat?
Captain Ravishing was stunning winning his first three starts for Stewart and Tonkin, including sitting outside and beating Leap To Fame in a Derby heat.
He tried to repeat the dose in the final, but Leap To Fame proved the better staying in record-breaking times and Captain Ravishing tired late for a brave fifth.
“He’s come through it well,” Stewart said. “We absolutely love him, but he’s pretty new to us and we’re still learning about him.”
Captain Ravishing’s brilliance also means the drop back in distance from 2760m to 2150m will suit.
Ripp was one of Australia’s most exciting pacers before a disappointing Queensland winter campaign.
“Everything went wrong for him in the Redcliffe Derby up there and he wasn’t the same horse after it,” trainer Bernie Hewitt said.
“We gave him a good break and it’s been terrific to see him come back with those two huge runs in the Derby series.
“We couldn’t have been happier with those runs and it shows he’s right back where we want him going into the Breeders Crown.”
The Breeders Crown moves to semi-finals at Melton on November 12 and Grand Finals on November 19.
The Bendigo meeting also features four hearts of the Crown 3YO fillies’ series where Stewart and Tonkin have a staggering 15 runners through the heats.
Their headline act is Victoria Oaks winner Encipher in heat two (race six).
Mark Pitt will be the substitute driver with Kate Gath overseas to run in Sunday’s New York Marathon.
Much interest will also focus on multiple Group 1 winner Amore Vita.
The former Kiwi filly is having her first start for Stewart and Tonkin in heat four (race eight) and will start from inside the back row (gate eight) behind likely leader and main danger Steno (one).
Chris Alford will take the reins on Amore Vita.
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
