Tonight sees the running of the 2010 Victoria Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton Victoria  , this time honored event is widely regarded as the Cox Plate of Harness Racing. The Field assembled tonight is very hot and despite the omission of the greatest pacer of all time Blacks A Fake the race promises to be a great spectacle.The early betting fixed market odds are up at Luxbet

There should be a decent lead time set up in this race as it is likely that former Victorian Horse of the Year Melpark Major is likely to be stoked up from barrier one by Amy Stubbs to try and hold the lead but he is going to be tested as Mr Feelgood , Washakie , Im Themighyquinn and Lonestar Legend all have high gate speed and will be looking for positions. It is possible that should Melpark Major hold the lead then Im Themightyquinn might just be able to drop in behind the leader from barrier 2 and get the gun run because there is no way Melpark Major will hand up the lead is he finds it. If this is the scenario then i would expect Mr Feelgood to find the early position outside the leader with Washakie on his back. Lonestar Legend will come out early but we doubt the lead or the deathseat will be there and will have to drop back to find a position.

We would then expect Lance Justice on the 2010 Miracle Mile winner Smoken Up take off as soon as they try and take a breather upfront and take up the position outside the leader and dictate the race from there but giving cover to likely race favorite Mr Feelgood. But if he can sit outside the champ Blacks a Fake and beat him in the Miracle Mile then he will have every chance to beat these from that same position. Smoken Up did not handle the tight track at Cranbourne last start in the Cranbourne Cup but he loves it here.

The up and coming star Villagem has made his open company debut this year having just turned five and is starting to measure up very well after finishing third in the Miracle Mile and then was the run of the race from the horror draw and not suited in the Cranbourne Cup , if driven patiently and there is a hot speed on up front he can get a nice run into the race and will be strong on the line. Im Themightyquinn got all the favors last start  and is likely to get them again so he can fill a place or even win.

Kiwi raider Sleepy Tripp is a good horse and they wouldn’t be here to make up the numbers , has raced the best in his country , dont worry about the draw Mark Purdon will give him every chance.  Mr Feelgood from the draw will be hard to beat but not sure he is racing at his absolute best but that can turn around very quickly and it wouldn’t surprise us to see him win but we just cant get on at his short quote.

The Races.com.au tips are

Smoken Up to win currently at $5 with Luxbet those odds just seem too good to pass up. Villagem for second at $12 and Im Themightyquinn for third at $4 . First 4 chance The Sleepy Tripp and Melpark Major. We have taken a set against Mr Feelgood seems to race better when he finds the lead and its unlikely he will here , and he goes better when there isnt a much pressure on him , we know he won the Interdominion coming from well back but it was probably the greatest drive you have ever seen and got a nice run through the race. We think he is worth laying at $3.30 , its far too short in this field and in a high pressure race over a distance greater than a mile and we will stick our head out and say its probably a better field ( with the exception of Blackie ) than the Interdominion he won.

Luxbet are offering fixed odds on tonights Harness Racing  and a free $400 bet to all new account holders.