Outsiders highlight strength of Vicbred heats

TYPICALLY the strength of a race is assessed on the appearance of the favourites, yet in Kilmore on Thursday night, it’s the quality of the outsiders which tells the tale.

Six Vicbred Super Series heats for three-year-old colts and gelding are set to be conducted throughout the evening, and yes, there are short-priced favourites.

Undefeated from seven starts, Enjoy Life is a $1.80 hot shot in the opening qualifier, with the Emma Stewart-trained son of Always B Miki drawn barrier nine.

Defending champion Soho Trump, which returned with a stylish win at Club Menangle a fortnight ago, heads the market at $2 in the second.

Part of a huge Michael Stanley assault on the futurity, Soho Trump has five wins and three placings from 11 starts.

Stanley will take the reins behind the son of Captain Crunch, which has drawn to search for the lead from gate four.

New South Wales raider The Niteshift – which boasts four wins and a second from six outings – is also at $2 from barrier four in the fifth heat for trainer-driver Luke McCarthy.

At the opposite end of the scale, the likes of Binalong Mate, Covered In Gold and Zanda Man – each promising types with impressive records – are among the outsiders.

Engaged in the third and arguably the most open heat, Binalong Mate is listed at $61 despite registering three wins and three seconds from seven starts.

Covered In Gold is considered a $51 chance in the fifth heat irrespective of his three wins and two placings from his last five starts.

Members of the Chris Svanosio stable, Binalong Mate and Covered In Gold will begin from barriers 10 and two.

Zanda Man, which has six wins and five placings from 13 starts, is also at $51 in the second qualifier.

Jackie Barker is booked to guide the son of Art Major from gate 10.