Top trotter aiming to join ‘triple treat’ squad

CHAMPION Tornado Valley’s bid to join a pair of past topline trotters has been bolstered by an early barrier draw.

Winner of the last two Great Southern Stars, Tornado Valley will chase a third victory in the Group One when he heads to Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday night.

To trainer Andy Gath’s delight, the veteran has drawn to lead throughout from the pole in the opening heat.

Should all go to plan and Tornado Valley makes his way into the Final later in the evening, he will aim to become just the third squaregaiter to win the same Group One three times.

As it stands, former champion Sundons Gift and Maori Time are the only trotters to complete triple victories in an Australian Group One.

Maori Time secured the Bill Collins Sprint in 2015, ’16 and ’17 for trainer Brent Lilley.

Sundons Gift went one better by capturing the Australasian Grand Prix four times between 2007 and 2010.

Sundons Gift is one of seven Aussies which have four victories in the same top shelf event.

The Magnificent Seven includes Blacks A Fake, Gammalite, Pure Steel, Smoken Up, Village Kid and Washakie.

Pure Steel was the first to achieve the feat, annexing the Western Australia Cup in 1977, ’78, ’79 and ’80.

Washakie is in a league of his own, having secured the M H Treuer Memorial five times between 2009 and 2013.

Smoken Up certainly deserves a mention as a quadruple winner of two Group Ones.

The outstanding pacer had a mortgage on the SA Cup, with wins coming in 2008, 11, 12 and 13.

The Lance Justice-trained wonder also won the Len Smith Mile at Club Menangle in 2008, ’10, ’11 and ’12. He was also second behind Changeover in 2009.

Our Sir Vancelot and Im Themightyquinn also warrant noting for winning three Inter Dominion Finals.

Im Themightyquinn’s triple treat record also includes three Fremantle and Western Australia Cups, with his former stablemate The Falcon Stride also winning the latter event on three occasions.

As for Tornado Valley’s bid, the son of Skyvalley is a warm $3 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in his qualifier, with Lotamuscle and Rules Dont Apply considered the main dangers at $5.