Three thrilling Group races and the heats of the Australian Cup fill the fantastic race card, including the invitation only $30 000 Group 2 Macro Meats Zoom Top (725m).

An elite staying test, the 2010 Zoom Top has attracted one of the finest fields in years and features the likes of Mantra Lad, Next Top Model, Drill E’m and Jarvis Bale in his 16^th black type start.

Already the clear favourite has emerged with the sensational Graeme Jose-trained Mantra Lad. Mantra Lad will jump from box three on Saturday and if he can recreate his blistering 42.28 personal best at this track, a good start will see the son of Pure Octane lead with his rivals chasing all the way.

Recent winner of the Group 1 Association Cup, he is also one of the highest earning dogs of all time having amassed $452 665 in prizemoney over his 54 race starts to date. Definitely the one to beat in the Zoom Top, Mantra Lad looks well positioned to claim his eighth consecutive victory.

But if one runner can cause an upset to Mantra Lad’s sensational winning streak it is the rival starting on the outside of the top elect, Next Top Model. Trained by Jason Thompson, the brindle bitch has definitely got a promising staying career in front of her and is aiming for her maiden Group 1 win in the Zoom Top.

On Saturday the daughter of Surf Lorian has her first start at The Gardens and the impressive Group 2 Maidment Memorial winner is sure to give Mantra Lad a good challenge.

David Knocker’s Drill ‘Em in box seven also stands a strong chance to place if not cause an upset win here. The in-form and ever consistent son of Texas Gold has had solid recent form including a six race winning streak late last year, but he does prefer the inside boxes and has only won one of his 12 victories wearing the black.

The Robert Britton-trained Melandri has secured the prized box one, which definitely gives this quality stayer a chance to show how good he is at this track and distance despite being lightly raced of late.

Starting on the outside in box eight is another in-form dog Satanic Cash who has won four of their past five starts including an emphatic 11 ½ length victory last start at Angle Park. Despite their speed, consistency and staying ability Satanic Cash will have to fight hard to keep up with the calibre of rivals he faces on Saturday.

Smokin’ Ichiban has been scratched from the event and taking his place in box five is first reserve, the Andrea-Dailly trained Headley Bale who looks outclassed here.

The Group 2 Zoom Top is scheduled as race six on the night’s cracker 11-race programme and is due to jump at 8:45pm (VIC time).

2010 Zoom Top Final Field & Box Draw:

This nation’s finest chasers head to The Meadows on February 13 for three amazing invitation-only Group races, including the Group 1 Temlee (525m), Group 2 Rookie Rebel (600m) and Group 2 Zoom Top (725m) – all sponsored by Macro Meats.

Australia’s premium sprinters including Group 1 winning queen Cindeen Shelby and Adelaide Cup winner Dyna Lachlan will clash in the Temlee, with the winner set to take home $50 000. Interstate chasers such as Take The Kitty, High Earner and Mr Metz will be hoping to fire the first shot in the lead-up to the time honoured Australian Cup.

The middle distance stars will take to the track in the Group 2 Rookie Rebel, with all eyes on the very impressive Flash Of Light, a chaser who came within a length of the 600m track record at The Meadows in December.

Up and coming stayer Next Top Model faces her toughest test to date, going up against the might of champion race dog Mantra Lad in the Group 2 Zoom Top, a chaser who has already been successful in seven Group events, boasting a prizemoney tally of over $450 000.

The exciting evening of racing doesn’t end there, with heats of the Group 1 MTD Australian Cup over 525m also kicking off on the night.

The racing bonanza on February 13 marks the start of the Sky Channel Australian Cup Carnival, where a whopping $650 000 in prizemoney will be given away over three weeks, including the Group 1 MTD Australian Cup on February 27, worth $150 000 to the winner.

The Meadows will also offer free kids entertainment (provided by Camp Australia), party packs and a live band throughout the Carnival to compliment the best racing in town.

2010 Group 1 Temlee Final Field:

2010 Group 2 Rookie Rebel Final Field:

2010 Group 2 Zoom Top Final Field:

For further information please contact:
Marg Long
GRV Manager
Ph. (03) 9355 5222

Earlier in the week on Thursday, Ennis produced the upset victory of the night at the Solo Melbourne Cup heats when his $33 outsider Octare secured victory in her heat defeating top fancies Cindeen Shelby and Gripen Bale.

As the Melbourne Cup box draw was taking place at the annual Melbourne Cup ball, Ennis’ Zenith (Collision x Tarawi) starting as the $2.90 favourite, defeated a top-class field of rivals at The Meadows including runner-up Atomic Voodoo ($7.30) by a neck and Graeme Bate’s Admiral Bale ($4.60) who was a further three lengths away in third. Zenith clocked a time of 30.30 seconds for the win.

Saturday’s $10 000 Superman at Stud victory was Zenith’s sixth successive win and the speedster is now unbeaten in three tries at The Meadows. His career record now stands at nine wins in 23 starts.

Ennis’ other runner in the final on Saturday night, Where Am I, came in a distant last, 16.5 lengths from the winner in seventh place after Kilrush failed to finish.

Superman at Stud Final Results:

Turanza Bale proved too quick on the night for the recent Group 1 Topgun place-getters Velocette and Dyna Lachlan in the $15 000 to-the-winner event. Runner-up Velocette won the Group 1 Australian Cup and Dyna Lachlan was runner-up in the Group 1 National Sprint Championship, so the competition was fierce.

It was a glorious and very lucrative night for trainer Graeme Bate whose runner Amity Bale took home the Hume Cup in magnificent fashion following his quinella in the Silver Bullet as he is the trainer for both Turanza Bale and Velocette.

Group 3 Sport 927 Silver Bullet Race Results: