Blueblood pacer Cullen Bromac is one of several big names who'll contest a Breeders Crown repechage this Thursday
Super Sunday isn't until August 22, but the Tabcorp Australasian Breeders Crown fate of some of the leading fancies heading into the series will be decided at Melton's Tabcorp Park this Thursday.
Ronald George, Cullen Bromac, Artistic Rainbow, Just Grange, Sushi Sushi and Passions Promise are among the big-names heat casualties who must perform in the repechages in order to secure a spot in the August 13 semi-finals.
And there is not much room for error for the colts and geldings with only the first two home in each of the four last-chance qualifiers guaranteed a spot in the semis.
The second repechage is the standout qualifier with classy New South Wales raider Veracity Red, blueblood colt Cullen Bromac, talented Kiwi import Mustang Mach and the untapped High Five Mozza all engaged.
Ronald George and Attackamach headline the first repechage, with General Bronski, Smiling Force, King Grin, Hei Ma Diamond, Wahush and Im Blue Double Dee all having claims in a competitive third qualifier.
Australian Pacing Gold placegetters Just Grange and Sushi Sushi are the best-performed pair in the final repechage, but they can expect stiff opposition from Major Mac, a luckless sixth in his heat, and the progressive Abettorpunt.
Things aren't anywhere near as cut-throat in the fillies' division.
With 11 semi-final spots still to be filled and only two repechages, the first five home and the fastest six placegetter will all go through.
Artistic Rainbow, Milliara Lombo and Bettor Give It are the leading contenders in the first repechage, while Vouvray and Bella Shine present the biggest threat to Passions Promise in the latter qualifier.
While Thursday's repechages will bring down the curtain on the Breeders Crown for some, the campaign of others kicked off today with three qualifiers for the two-year-old trotters at Maryborough.
Chateau De Ville enhanced his claims as a final favourite in the opening heat, Me Neither cashed in on the late scratching of Kaptin Bly to stroll home in heat two and New South Wales visitor Moyabamba won the final qualifier.
That trio move straight through to the $162,000 Group 1 final at Tabcorp Park on August 22 with the beaten brigade to progress to the repechage round at Bendigo on Thursday, August 12.
Trotters action continues at Geelong on Wednesday night, where the first two home in last year's two-year-old series - Tuhimata Glass and Rostevarren - are among those engaged in a trio of three-year-old events.
