Harness Racing Victoria's two-night SEW Eurodrive Victoria Cup carnival starts with the Group One Cranbourne Pacing Cup on Saturday night.

After watching last Friday night's Popular Alm Free for All, I certainly hope there's a bit more colour at Cranbourne. Im Themightyquinn will be running for a third straight week but his trainer Gary Hall Senior isn't worried about that. Hall says the Perth pacer thrives on racing and is coping with everything he throws at him.

Last week at Tabcorp Park Melton, Im Themightyquinn was purposely driven back and if you believe the clock, ran home the last 800 in an incredible 53.2 seconds. However, having drawn favourably, I reckon we'll see driver Nathan Jack drive aggressively from gate four and take up the lead in the Cranbourne Cup. 

Another big hope in the Cranbourne Cup is arguably Australia's best pacing mare, Make Mine Cullen.

In direct contrast to the Popular Alm Free for All, Make Mine Cullen took part in one of the most thrilling harness races for years. After working hard to the lead, Make Mine Cullen had to withstand three horses attacking hard over the final lap before holding on for a remarkable win.

Driver Daryl Douglas told me this week Make Mine Cullen is a mare that seemingly can handle anything. The big plus for the mare's hopes at Cranbourne is finally drawing a good barrier according to Douglas. She might not have the pace to hold out Im Themightyquinn at the start but she'll get a perfect trail into the race.

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Now to thoroughbred racing and the in-form Sea Galleon looks set to continue his great form at Rosehill on Saturday.

Co-trainers Colin and Cindy Alderson are keen to race Sea Galleon in Sydney on the recommendation of trackwork riders, who have galloped him in that direction and feel he goes better that way. Cindy Alderson said this week, the introduction of blinkers and races with good tempo have allowed Sea Galleon to really finish off in recent staying races.

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The Summer series continues at Eagle Farm on Saturday with the $200,000 George Moore Stakes.

It'll be a fairly wide market in the 1200 metre race but a couple worthy of a mention are Ready To Rip and Latin News.

Andrew Williamson says Ready To Rip wasn't suited at all last start when it was a sit and sprint race, but with a capacity field on Saturday, that should automatically put the pace on. Williamson said he would've liked to have drawn better but a couple of the other main hopes are also drawn wide. Jim Byrne regains the ride on Ready To Rip who's being set towards the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast. 

Latin News has put in two good performances since joining the stables of David Payne in Sydney. The five-year-old put in a super return at Rosehill behind Ahdashim then finished strong in a tight finish with Atomic Force a fortnight ago.

Frustrated by not winning, Payne still has high hopes for Latin News at Group level and following a gallop on Tuesday targeted the George Moore. Like Ready To Rip, Latin News will need some luck from barrier 14 but the booking of leading jockey, Glen Colless, should be an advantage.