Horses to watch on Victoria Cup night
Adam Hamilton • October 17th, 2025 11:50 AM • 4 min read
Never has there been such broad New Zealand interest in a Victoria Cup meeting.
That’s because so many of the stars strutting their stuff at Melton on Saturday night could be headed to Cup Week at Addington.
Leading the way is the great Leap To Fame, but there are at least eight other stars for Kiwi fans to watch closely.
Here’s my guide to “Kiwi watch” runners on Victoria Cup night.
No.4 JOYRIDE: She’s a bit different being the lone Kiwi-trained runner chasing the cash on the night. She was a sound fifth in her Oaks heat after sitting parked. With the key dangers off the back row and natural improvement from the heat, she’s at least a place hope from gate four.
No.2 JILLIBY BALLERINI: Like them all, she lived in stablemate Keayang Zahara’s shadow last year. But nine wins from 11 starts and a stunning feature win last outing have shown she’s seriously closed the gap. Drawn better than Zahara and has more gate speed. Gets her chance to beat her for the first time this week. Decision on NZ after this race.
No. 4 KEAYANG ZAHARA: The young queen is back and firing. Mesmerizing first-up win last week to make it 16 wins from just 17 starts. We are all still wondering how good she really is? We will find out more this week if she has to sit outside stablemate Jilliby Ballerini. If she does that and wins, she’s a freak. Decision on NZ after this race.
No.9 PARISIAN ARTISTE: Building beautifully. Good first-up, then toyed with rivals in a Menangle mile last time. Much harder here from back row in a hot field. Looking for a solid run ahead of crossing the ditch for the Dominion.
No.12 ARCEE PHOENIX: Where is the Inter Dominion and TAB Trot champion at? Three runs back have been below his best and easily rundown by Keayang Zahara, who gave him a massive start last week. Horror draw, but looking for the right signs to say he should press ahead with the NZ trip.
No.11 FATE AWAITS: Three-time Group 1 winner who was terrific in his heat when second in good time after coming deep on the final bend. Back row no help, but it’s a strong field and he’s a great each-way hope. Another chance to see where he’s at before he meets Marketplace and co in The Velocity on Show Day.
No.8 LEAP TO FAME: Could the champ be beaten for the second start in succession for the first time in almost two years? Shock defeat last week and inside back row (gate eight) over just 2240m presents a huge challenge this time. From an NZ viewpoint, most interest is in whether he shows last week was just an off night.
No.1 GATESYS GEM: Has the measure of Tracy The Jet earlier this season, but the tide has turned. How much is the question? Won nine of 13 starts and had some issues before returning to racing to win a weaker race last time. Fitter, gets the draw edge from the pole. Great “sighter” ahead of clashing again with Tracy in The Ascent.
No.3 TRACY THE JET: Utterly flying since a spell with five fantastic wins. Deserves to be favourite even though she’s drawn outside Gatesys Gem. Had a stronger build-up and impossible to fault her form. It’s still her biggest test this campaign.
