Black Cam's emergence as the new poster boy of New Zealand pacing will not be without Kiwi casualties.
The former Southland pacer who just two months ago was a forgotten class two became one of the favourites for the Victoria Cup when he pummelled Interdominion champion Shakamaker at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.
In the hands of trainer Mark Purdon, Black Cam bolted away with the Poplar Alm Free-For-All by sprinting his last 400m in 27.8 seconds after leading throughout.
That was too hot for favourite Shakamaker who tried in vain in the straight to close the two metre gap but was not making any ground at the line and probably wouldn't have caught Black Cam if they had gone another round.
The win had Harness Racing Victoria officials scrambling to invite Black Cam into the $A250,000 Victoria Cup which is shaping as the hottest field of the season.
But Black Cam's promotion to the elite field could cost fellow New Zealand pacers Homin Hosed and Pocket Me.
In New Zealand both horses would be guaranteed a start in a major race before Black Cam as they are open class and the latter is only class seven.
But under Australian handicapping conditions Black Cam was open class even before Saturday's win. That victory, coupled with the news champion reinsman Tony Herlihy will drive him, means he is simply worth too much in betting turnover to be left out of the field.
With Black Cam's stablemate Ouch also winning at Moonee Valley on Saturday night they are both now guaranteed Victoria Cup spots, along with Shakamaker, Holmes D G, Yulestar, Courage Under Fire, Atitagain, Breeny's Fella, Tailamade Lombo and Zyuganov Leis.
That leaves just two vacancies in the field of 12, with Victorians Lombo Rapida and Safe And Sound the favourites for those positions.
That would leave Homin Hosed, Pocket Me and Cigar, who was a moderate second in weak company on Saturday night, out of the Victoria Cup.
Homin Hosed's chances of making the field were reduced when he battled into fifth behind Black Cam on Saturday night.
Last season's New Zealand Cup winner was parked out and not suited by the sprint home as he tries to regain peak fitness after a year away from the racetrack. That absence plus his two unplaced runs in Australia mean HRV officials will almost certainly drop him from the field even though on class and past performances he deserves a start.
The same fate awaits Cigar and Pocket Me, even though the latter was second, relegated to fourth, in the Auckland Cup just six weeks ago.
While it is hard to believe a New Zealand Cup winner can not make any field it underlines just how spectacular the Victoria Cup will be.
The all-important barrier draw will be made tomorrow.
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While Black Cam was burning up Moonee Valley on Saturday, two of the favourites for the Victoria Cup were going even faster but just not getting paid for it.
Grand Circuit champion Holmes D G returned some blazing sectionals at the Alexandra Park workouts on Saturday while this season's Grand Circuit points leader Atitagain was doing the same in New South Wales.
Holmes D G was only second to the class 4-year-old Quick Tip in a 2700m standing start workouts but still paced his last 2400m in 3:3, his final 800m in a sizzling 55.7 seconds.
"It was a good run because I made him come out and sit parked at the bell, which is not really his go and that should clean him out nicely for next Saturday," said Barry Purdon.
His stablemate and travelling companion Matai Mackenzie was stunning winning a weaker heat after Purdon asked him to use his high gate speed, a weapon which will be invaluable in the Victoria Derby heats on Saturday.
The pair heads to Melbourne tomorrow morning.
Atitagain rounded out his preparations with a track record workout at Bulli.
The Trueur Memorial winner screamed around the tiny track in 1:57.6 for his last mile, his final 800m in 56.4, sectionals unheard of on one of harness racing's truly terrible circuits.
New Zealand's two other Victoria Derby contenders were also in action at the trials on Saturday. Rare Gem and Perfect Seelster finished in that order behind Tailamade Lombo in a mobile trial at Cranbourne.
Racing: Black Cam muscles fellow Kiwis out of rich Victoria Cup
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