Tim O’Connor has done the form for Melton Entertainment Park this Saturday night.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: PINNIE (3) was drawn to lead last weekend at Melton and she didn’t let punters down by scoring in dominant fashion. She seems to have bounced back from a recent atrial fibrillation issue and goes so well when she finds the fence. I’m tipping she will cross and prove awfully hard to beat, despite the step-up in distance from 1720m to 2240m. This is a cracking race with so much depth and it’s hard to trim selections to just four. REMUS PHOENIX (11) was a super third at a big price in the Group 1 Hammerhead Mile at Menangle latest, stablemate LOVEMETO (9) galloped at the turn there, but has loads of ability and was second to the megastar Keayang Zahara in the Group 1 Just Believe Grand Prix before that, while fellow Chris Svanosio runner ALDEBARAN ACRUX (2) gets into the pole draw thanks to the scratching of I AM WILMA (1). She boxed on bravely, holding off PINNIE (1) who had her back, when third to the smart Rockinwithattitude last time.
BACK: PINNIE (3) – 1 unit (each-way)
SELECTIONS: PINNIE (3), LOVEMETO (9), REMUS PHOENIX (11), ALDEBARAN ACRUX (2)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: SON OF MAC (9) returned to form at the trials before winning a good race at Melton on March 14 and then sat parked and dropped out in a hot race a fortnight ago. With a good draw and some likely speed up front, he should run well at perhaps an each-way price. With a better draw for VINCENZO (7), I’d probably have him on top. He’s flying of late and ripped out a sizzling 55.10 last half coming from off the pace to cut the margin on the smart New Shuffle to just 1.2m last weekend. TEN DA TOUCH (3) sustained a wide run and only went down narrowly to ALWAYSBEALADY (6) last time out and looks very ready to win, while TARA VICTORY (4) out-sprinted Mighty Jolt to score a deserved success on Saturday night and is one of the likely leaders here.
SELECTIONS: SON OF MAC (9), VINCENZO (7), TEN DA TOUCH (3), TARA VICTORY (4)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: JAZZY MELEA (2) was awfully unlucky when held up all the way to the line second-up from a break last weekend at Melton. She looked to have plenty to give and never got clear air, with Alwaysbealady coming from behind on the pegs to score. Her first-up run prior to that was very good and she looks to have a great chance here, particularly if she can cross the pole-marker and find the fence. SOAP AND BUBBLES (11) didn’t sprint as sharply as I expected last time, but the stewards’ notes reveal a flat tyre there so she has to be given a big hope on previous form. She’s very fast over a short distance and can round up her rivals if close enough turning for home. THESTATESMAN (8) is a talented horse resuming on the back of a Bacchus Marsh trial win, while KIA ORA BEAUTY (1) draws for a good trip and was good chasing home the smart Komodo last weekend. Other key hopes look to be ODIN (9) and JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (9). Noting an ownership share in TIMBIMBOO (6), but he was very disappointing from the front last time and would need to improve.
BACK: JAZZY MELEA (2) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: JAZZY MELEA (2), SOAP AND BUBBLES (11), THESTATESMAN (8), KIA ORA BEAUTY (1)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: Hard to go past HOWDY MATE (12) after his first-up win at Melton a fortnight ago where he defeated six rivals that reoppose here. A top-end juvenile in 2025, Jess Tubbs’ charge stepped out for his first run as a three-year-old and rounded them up from the back. The margin wasn’t great, however, with CLAUDYS HERO (11) carting him up on the three-wide line and only being beaten 1.4m. He stepped out again last weekend and was badly held up on the fence before charging late to just miss Kyvalley Jetstream. He was awfully unlucky and can certainly turn the tables. MERCENARY (3) is a very hard horse to catch, but battled on well first-up when fourth in the Charlton Trotters Cup and Jackie Barker might try to lead this contest. He could be one at odds for trifectas and First 4s. MITCHELL WRAP (8) was good behind HOWDY MATE (12) and was grabbed right on the line by Bennie And The Jets last weekend when looking the winner.
SELECTIONS: HOWDY MATE (12), CLAUDYS HERO (11), MERCENARY (3), MITCHELL WRAP (8)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: What a perfect race this shapes to be for BENNIE AND THE JETS (2), with the random barrier draw landing him nicely in two. He trialled well before a first-up win at Melton last weekend where he came from the clouds to run down Mitchell Wrap and THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (5). He’s building a really good record for Adam Rudd and looks destined to reach an NR much higher than his current mark of 72. Keen. There is some speed drawn outside him, though. GEE CEE CALDER (4) is on the front line for the first time this campaign and has shown good toe before, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (5) can be used early and is racing in great form, while TICTOK (6) is right back in the zone after a couple of great runs behind Kyvalley Judge and Wallis. She also likes to run the gate. DISTANT SUN (7) is another that can go forward early, but this looks a little difficult for him.
BACK: BENNIE AND THE JETS (2) – 4 units (win)
SELECTIONS: BENNIE AND THE JETS (2), TICTOK (6), THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (5), GEE CEE CALDER (4)
Race 6:
OVERIVEW: MIGHTY JOLT (6) showed blistering early speed and ran a cracker for second first-up in the care of Dean Braun last weekend. He led, gave a kick and was only grabbed in the shadows by Tara Victory, who is in great form. It was a top run in slick time, and despite the step-up from 1720m to 2240m, he’s fancied to go one better here. ZANDA MAN (4) ran a massive race for second from the chair in good time at Mt Gambier latest and he’s a nice horse with plenty of ability, the handy INTRUSION (8) was a brave fourth when parked for the last lap at Melton on March 14 and can sprint hard from the fence draw, while MISTER AMERICANO (1) is back from a Gold Chalice campaign in NSW and draws for a good trip.
BACK: MIGHTY JOLT (6) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: MIGHTY JOLT (6), ZANDA MAN (4), INTRUSION (8), MISTER AMERICANO (1)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: Smart youngster CARDIGAN DAN (2) steps out for his first run of the year here and looks to have found a suitable assignment to land victory. He chased home star stablemate Loucasso for second in a heat and final of the Breeders Crown as a two-year-old before being sent for a spell and tuned up with a nice trial in a slick last quarter at Melton on March 17. He should lead and take plenty of catching. If there is to be an upset, it looks most likely to come from FIRE MARSHALL (9). He’s flying for trainer Kyle Marshall, with a track record win at Charlton followed by a fast victory at Melton last time out. A winner outside those would surprise, with the other seven runners all capable of running into third or fourth.
SELECTIONS: CARDIGAN DAN (2), FIRE MARSHALL (9), TALLARAS SHADOW (8), MONTANA PRIDE (6)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: Awesome race to close the card where we see three top-end free-for-allers dominate the market. After their latest clash on March 21, I’m siding with FIGHTER COMMAND (5) narrowly over the people’s champ, BULLETPROOF BOY (3). The latter cruised to an easy lead there, but was swamped by FIGHTER COMMAND (5), who was huge first-up from a break. I think the step-up from 1720m to 2240m suits FIGHTER COMMAND (5) more and I’ll just lean his way. BULLETPROOF BOY (3) should find the top again and is clearly a huge chance, while it’s great to see BAY OF BISCAY (6) back at the races. The reigning Eureka champion has had a couple of trials ahead of this assignment and comes here on the back of a fifth placing in the Group 1 Victoria Cup back in October. He’s class, but it won’t be easy from the draw against two star rivals.
SELECTIONS: FIGHTER COMMAND (5), BULLETPROOF BOY (3), BAY OF BISCAY (6), JUSTALITTLESIP (4)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R1 #3 PINNIE – 1 unit (each-way)
R3 #2 JAZZY MELEA – 2 units (win)
R5 #2 BENNIE AND THE JETS – 4 units (win)
R6 #6 MIGHTY JOLT – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
2,3,6,7,9,11/3,4,7,9/1,2,8,11/11,12
QUADDIE
2,5,6/4,6,8/2,9/3,5,6
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
** A betting unit is typically a percentage of the total bankroll or the amount of money you are willing to risk on a particular bet – for example 1 unit is 10% of your bankroll, therefore a $100 bankroll 1 unit equals $10
Chances are you’re about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
