Racing: Magnificent seven might not all fire at Melton

The Orange Agent is one of several winning chances on Breeders Crown Day at Melton tomorrow. Photo / Harness Racing Victoria

The biggest certainty of Breeders Crown Day tomorrow is that it won't be as easy as the bookies suggest for the Kiwi harness heroes.

In what is a first in the long history of transtasman harness racing clashes, seven of the group one race favourites at tomorrow's A$1.5 million meeting at Melton are New Zealand trained.

Even more remarkably, six of them are rated $1.60 or shorter, with Follow The Stars the least favoured of the top picks at around $2.

However, a closer look at the seven finals suggests that while they are all expected to win, it won't be that easy for a variety of reasons, with draws, tactics and several key rivals suggesting four or five Kiwi wins are more likely than seven. Here is the breakdown of the strongest New Zealand assault ever launched on an Australian race meeting.

Two-year-old filly trot (R2, 3.09pm NZ Time):

NZ favourite: High Gait (No 1): Professional all season and two big wins over most of these since arriving in Aussie. Likely to lead and with the Mark Purdon polish very hard to catch. Definitely vulnerable.

Danger: Missandei (No 8): Former stablemate of the favourite who beat her in the Jewels. Now trained by Brent Lilley and if High Gait leads could trail her and get last crack.

What they said: "I'll admit Missandei would go close to beating us sitting on our back," says Mark Purdon.

Three-year-old male trot (R3, 3.45pm):

NZ favourite: Speeding Spur (No 10): Clearly the best horse in the race and apart from surprise Jewels gallop has been almost unbeatable. Stable knows how to win Breeders Crowns.

Danger: Illawong Armstrong (No 5): May not win but his freegoing style in front means Speeding Spur could work hard to get handy over the 2240m which could be short of his best.

What they said: "We couldn't be happier with how he worked this week but Illawong Armstrong will definitely make it harder if he leads," says driver Josh Dickie.

Two-year-old male pace (R4, 4.21pm):

NZ favourite: Our Waikiki Beach (No 7): Unbeaten and seems to be getting stronger with every start. Even from the outside barrier should win as locals aren't that good.

Danger: The barrier draw means he will at least have to work this time but impossible to tip one of the Aussies to beat him.

What they said: "There is some gate speed inside him so he might have to work his way forward rather than lead straight away but I think he is just better than them," says Mark Purdon.

Two-year-old fillies pace (R5, 4.57pm):

NZ favourite: Our Dream About Me (No 12): Unbeaten and looks the female version of Waikiki Beach. Sat parked to win Jewels, might have to do the same here.

Danger: Hot Shot Woman (No 6): Huge second in semifinal last Saturday and only big gun off the front so awfully hard to run down if she leads.

What they said: "Dream About Me and Waikiki Beach are the two who are working best of ours and she might be too strong for them," says Purdon.

Three-year-old fillies pace (R6, 5.37pm):

NZ favourite: The Orange Agent (No 10): Champion filly but her rare defeats have come when chasing wide on the track.

With no bad luck should still probably win. Has Kiwi back-up in Start Dreaming and Linda Lovegrace.

Danger: Ameretto (No 1): Not as good as favourite but track record win at Ballarat last week shows she is in the zone and marker pegs a huge advantage.

What they said: "The draw makes it tougher but I think she might be too strong. She has got better all season," says The Orange Agent's driver Maurice McKendry.

Three-year-old male pace (R8, 6.49pm): NZ favourite: Follow The Stars (No 4): Defending champ fitter for luckless defeat last Saturday and drawn to lead.

Danger: Menin Gate (No 5): Has beaten Follow The Stars a few times and hard to catch if he leads but could apply pressure if he doesn't.

What they said: "I will be trying to stay in front this week rather than handing up," says Mark Purdon.

Two-year-old trot (R9, 7.27pm):

NZ favourite: Conon Bridge (No 1): Has the gate speed to lead and win by big margins. If he controls race should be too quick.

Danger: Sundons Courage (No 8): Luckless lately but going huge races and powerful sit-sprinter drawn behind the favourite.

What they said: "He worked the best he ever has last Sunday so I am confident," says Conon Bridge's trainer Paul Nairn.