Racing: Trainers tip heat winner to take $318k final at Melton

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Two of trotting's greatest trainers believe a heat winner will go on to win tonight's A$300,000 ($318,600) Great Southern Star at Melton.

Because for all the research into techniques how to best help a horse handle two group one races in one night, the horses who are closest to their peak will get through tonight's series best.

The Great Southern Star only started last year but is already the richest trotting event in the Southern Hemisphere. It is based on the heat and finals racing so popular in Europe.

It comprises two 1720m heats at 9pm (NZ time) and 9.32pm, both group ones in their own right, followed by the A$300,000 final at midnight.

Heading into the unknown last season champion trainer Tim Butt quizzed trainer friends in North America to get his head around the logistics on the two races in such a short space of time.

"The key factors are the hydration and warm down and warming up again," said Butt, who won the heat and inaugural final with Vulcan.

"So we wanted to get water into him but making sure it was not the sort of drink you sometimes give horses which makes them thirsty for more water," he says.

"Then you warm them right down, not just a 10 minute walk and then on the truck home sort of thing you can sometimes get away with.

"Then before the final we walked him with his bridle on to stop him getting stiff but to keep his mind on the job. "But the key thing is the horse's state going into the night. If they are healthy and fit they will handle it. But any little issues will be exaggerated by the first run and worst in the final."

Like Butt, Australia's greatest trotting trainer Chris Lang has competed in the Elitlopp series in Sweden the GSS is modelled on and agrees the warm down and up as well as hydration are key.

"But I'd even give them a little bit of food in between the two races if they need it," says Lang, who has two longshots in tonight's series.

"And then there is the shoeing thing," he says matter-of-factly.

"The shoeing thing" refers to the popular practice of racing trotters in the heat with their shoes on and taking two or even all four of them off for the final.

The theories include the fact they should be able to trot faster when lighter, that the hoof spreads more unshod and provides a better base as well as the bare hoof concussion causing blood to return to the heart quicker.

"The research on racing them barefoot suggests the hoof acts as more of a pump to the blood back to the heart faster, which can only be a good thing.

"But only some horses can cop it and only usually for one race, hence why you might take two or even all the shoes off for the final, as they often do in Sweden.

"But these are all small things to try to do to maximise your chances.

"The bottom line is the horse who wins the final will probably be a heat winner because they are the ones going best."

Kiwi trotter Stent is favourite to win the final but winning the heats is crucial as the connections of the finalists get to choose their own barriers for the 1720m feature.

Stent is joined in the series by Vulcan, back to defend his title as well as the New Zealand-owned pair of Keystone Del and Flying Isa.