The Healesville Cup is Race 6 on Sunday’s card which is scheduled to run at 12.24pm. Here is an in-depth look at the contenders and the event…

1. STARTRON
Breeding: March 2016 Dyna Tron x She’s Our Caviar
Sex: Male
Breeder: Nugenes Syndicate
Owner: Dean Baker, Wunghnu VIC
Trainer: Wayne Vassallo, Pearcedale VIC
Record: 57 starts; 31-10-4
Prize money: $72,680
Record from Box 1: 2 starts: 2-0-0
Comment: Notched his 11th win from 18 starts on the track and his winning time was just outside his 18.93sec PB, established in late January this year. Finished fifth in last year’s Healesville Cup.

2. SO THEY SAY
Breeding: October 2017 El Grand Senor x Okawa In Black
Sex: Male
Breeder/Owner: Glen Fardell, Sale VIC
Trainer: Christopher Tilley, Sale VIC
Record: 10 starts: 5-2-1
Prize money: $15,565
Record from Box 2: 2 starts 2-0-0
Comment: Was finally rewarded for his consistency at Healesville. Boasts a 50% winning strike rate.

3. CEE JAY’S BOY
Breeding: January 2017 Barcia Bale x My Lady Day
Sex: Male
Breeder/Trainer: Ronald Marsden, Condell Park NSW
Owner: Chris Madonis, Miranda NSW
Record: 32 starts: 21-4-1
Prize money: $37,870
Record from Box 3: 2 starts 2-0-0
Comment: Brilliant NSW speedster who made it nine wins on the trot. Earlier this year, he was a finalist in the Group 3 New Sensation (520m) at Wentworth Park in Sydney. Trained by Ronald Marsden, who also has litter brother Hardaway Titan in the final.

4. FRIDAY FROTHIES
Breeding: June 2017 Barcia Bale x Miss Hetti
Sex: Male
Breeder: Wynburn Racing Syndicate
Owner: Scott Bryan, Wynyard TAS
Trainer: Kelvyn Greenough, Pearcedale VIC
Record: 8 starts: 5-0-0
Prize money: $12,595
Record from Box 4: 0 starts 0-0-0
Comment: Former Tasmanian who was contesting his first start since winning at Healesville in May in his heat. Prepared by Kelvyn Greenough, who won Healesville Cups with Frosty Jay Jay (2014) and Allkel To Excel (2015).

5. HARDAWAY TITAN
Breeding: January 2017 Barcia Bale x My Lady Day
Sex: Male
Breeder/Owner/Trainer: Ronald Marsden, Condell Park NSW
Record: 26 starts; 20-3-1
Prize money: $29,005
Record from Box 5: 3 starts 1-1-0
Comment: A litter brother of fellow finalist Cee Jay’s Boy and has inherited the family ability. Has an impressive CV of 20 wins from 26 starts.

6. SIDESHOW MARJEN
Breeding: May 2016 Barcia Bale x Big Bang Marjen
Sex: Male
Breeder: Matthew Murphy, Raglan NSW
Owner: David Jensen, Heathcote VIC
Trainer: Paul Jones, Hoddles Creek VIC
Record: 34 starts: 13-5-4
Prize money: $21,525
Record from Box 6: 5 starts 1-1-0
Comment: Will start a sentimental favourite considering he’s trained by former Healesville president Paul Jones, whose partner Maria Barber is a HGA life member. Mind you, he also has his fair share of ability with 13 wins from 34 starts.

7. EMERALD RAINBOW
Breeding: April 2016 Fernando Bale x Where’s Demonica
Sex: Male
Breeder: Rose Geall, Lara VIC
Owner: Robert Sinfield, Brookfield VIC
Trainer: David Geall, Lara VIC
Record: 72 starts: 24-16-12
Prize money: $77,395
Record from Box 7: 7 starts 2-2-0
Comment: Regular metropolitan sprinter. Comes out running and is more than capable of delivering a knockout blow, particularly if he can obtain an early break. Boxed to perfection out wide.

8. MYRNIONG AND ALL
Breeding: October 2016 KC And All x Eastern Culture
Sex: Male
Breeder: Toby Weekes, Molong NSW
Owner: Kylee Osborne, Myrniong VIC
Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi, Myrniong VIC
Record: 36 starts; 18-9-5
Prize money: $51,490
Record from Box 8: 8 starts 4-3-0
Healesville Cup Heat: Was gallant in defeat to Friday Frothies. In fact, he was one of only three
Comment: Will give the final an almighty shake. Another sprinter with a 50% winning strike rate, and has a near faultless record from the ‘pink’ trap.

2018 Kouta Mayhem (Jason Sharp, Avalon VIC)

2017 Zinzan Brooke (Brooke Ennis, Lara VIC)

2016 Zipping Arnold (Ian Cockerell, Buckley VIC)

2015 Allkel To Excel (Kelvyn Greenough, Pearcedale VIC)

2014 Frosty Jay Jay (February) (Kelvyn Greenough, Pearcedale VIC) & Size Does Matter (September) (Brooke Ennis, Lara VIC)

2013 El Brooklyn (Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC)

2012 (Not run due to track rebuild)

2011 Marbro Man (Simon Brown, Abermain NSW)

• Pearcedale mentor Kelvyn Greenough, who prepares Friday Frothies, is attempting to claim his third Healesville Cup. Greenough has saluted with Frosty Jay Jay (2014) and Allkel To Excel (2015).
• NSW trainer Ronald Marsden has litter brothers Cee Jay’s Boy and Hardaway Titan engaged in the final. Cee Jay’s Boy is aiming for 10 straight wins!
• The Wayne Vassallo-trained Startron is contesting successive Healesville Cups. He finished fifth last year.
• Star sire Barcia Bale will be represented by half the field – Cee Jay’s Boy, Friday Frothies, Hardaway Titan and Sideshow Marjen. The first reserve, Barcia Prince, is also sired by Barcia Bale.
• The Healesville Cup is the main feature of the Healesville Cup Carnival comprising 13 meetings, 156 races, and prizemoney of $382,540 on offer.
• Former HGA president Paul Jones qualified Sideshow Marjen for the final. He won his heat and returned a massive win dividend of $69.40. (Ironically, Jones’ partner Maria Barber bred Peter Galo. So, it’s been a big month for the pair.)