Racing: Kiwis out in force for Aussie loot

New Zealand's assault on the mega rich Australasian Breeders Crown steps up a gear tonight.

But the two freshman fillies who race in repechages at Geelong tonight will be joined by some even more serious firepower this Friday.

That is when dual Harness Jewels winner Sky Major returns to Melton for the first time since finishing second to stablemate Maxim in the Victoria Derby in February.

Sky Major will use a A$16,500 race against older horses on Friday as his final lead-up to the ABC semifinals at Ballarat on Saturday week.

He has drawn the inside of the second line in a 1720m M0 but only bad luck should stop him winning after a devastating victory at Alexandra Park last start.

His stablemate Rocknroll Arden should join him at Ballarat with a win in her repechage at Kilmore tomorrow night, where she meets a weak bunch of 3-year-old fillies.

But more Kiwi interest will centre on tonight's 2-year-old fillies' heats, featuring Katy Perry and Cyclone Kate.

Both have been forced into the repechages after being beaten by Joannes A Delight in their heat at Cambridge.

That proved a bonus for Katy Perry as it forced her to travel to Victoria early and she won the A$50,000 Tatlow Stakes there first up in Australia, which has cemented her as the early favourite for the fillies' division, which has a A$320,000 final on August 24.

She has thrived since that win and will be a red hot favourite tonight from the ace in the weaker repechage.

Cyclone Kate has also impressed since her ABC heat defeat when she galloped, coming from a seemingly hopeless position to beat the talented Zeta Bromac at her next start.

Tonight she faces top NSW filly Smooth Showgirl from the outside of the second line in her repechage but only needs a top-four finish to make the semifinals so should be part of a 12-strong Kiwi team at Ballarat on Saturday week.