Defending champ requires a miracle!

NO STRANGER to achieving some remarkable feats, Emma Stewart will have to perform a miracle if Act Now is to successfully defend his title this weekend.

Completing her rise to the top a decade ago, Stewart has maintained her position as Victoria's premier trainer, while spreading her remarkable level of success interstate.

Some of Stewart's milestones include becoming the first trainer to register a triple century of wins - 309 - in a season and becoming the only female trainer to win the Victorian and Metropolitan Trainers' Premierships.

She became the first Australian trainer to win 100 Group Ones in August 2022, while in the same year, Stewart won nine races in Launceston to break the Australian record she co-held with Shayne Cramp.

Stewart broke a 77-year-old record for the most wins at a metropolitan meeting thanks to her eight victories in Melton on June 29, 2018.

Last month Stewart smashed that latter record with nine wins in Melton, which also equalled her Australian record for victories at a meeting.

Stewart is the only trainer to appear on the “Most wins at a meeting list” at every level - ie, nine wins, eight, seven, six, five and so on!

As for her pending attempt at greatness, Stewart will send Act Now into Saturday night's Victoria Cup first-up from an 11-month spell!

There is no doubt a triumph in the Grand Circuit event by the son of Somebeachsomewhere will be regarded as one of the all-time greatest training feats.

Driven to glory by Jodi Quinlan in year's edition, Act Now was unplaced during his two subsequent starts before being sent for a long spell.

"There were no issues with him, Bruce (Edwards, owner) just wanted to give him plenty of time off," Stewart said. "He is sound and we've had this race set for him for a long time."

To be reunited with Quinlan, Act Now has drawn barrier five, with TAB Fixed Odds listing the stallion as a $41 outsider.

Act Now was $81 when he beat Catch A Wave and Leap To Fame in the 2023 Group One.

"He is feeling good and ready to run a big race," Stewart said. "The draw could be tricky, but it is what it is.

"We've got him as wound up as we can, now it will come down to what kind of run he gets on the night."