Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for tonight’s meeting at Melton.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: IM DUSTEE (4) was strong last start when only narrowly beaten after sustaining a long, wide run on a rain-affected track. He looks to be working his way back towards another victory. SECRET SERVICE AGENT (3) is a smart horse who is third up here and should be nearing peak fitness. He was good last start at Maryborough when fourth in a strong field that ran 1:52.8. He has only one win from nine career starts, but he is a progressive type. He will need a bit of luck early, as he does not possess brilliant gate speed. RAKAROMPA (10) is a horse with ability. He has had two runs this year for two solid performances and will just need some luck from the barrier. TALKBABYTALK (2) is in career-best form, having won his last three starts. He has gate speed and should be able to map well. This is a rise in class, but he is racing with confidence. Also respecting TALISKER SKIPPER (1) from the barrier. He is also in career-best form, although this represents a step up in grade. ALWAYS A SHOWGIRL (6) is a smart mare but she has an awkward barrier here.
BACK: IM DUSTEE (4) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: IM DUSTEE (4), SECRET SERVICE AGENT (3), RAKAROMPA (10), TALKBABYTALK (2)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: BROTHER MOUNTAIN (6) comes out of the Nutrien Classic Sales Race Series, where he finished fifth in a race won by the smart Munny The Munster. He has raced at the top level for most of his career and has the best sectional times in this event. He will need some luck from the awkward barrier. NORTHERN TRUSCOTT (3) is racing better than her numerical form suggests. She was checked last start, while her run prior at Ballarat was sound. With some luck, she can improve her numerical form here. SPIRITED GIGI (4) is a smart, progressive gelding. He held the front, sustained pressure and battled on well in good time last start. MISTER DEVEREAUX (1) has great gate speed and should be able to take full advantage of barrier one.
BACK: BROTHER MOUNTAIN (6) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: BROTHER MOUNTAIN (6), NOTHERN TRUSCOTT (3), SPIRITED GIGI (4), MISTER DEVEREAUX (1)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: NAKEDTRUTH (4) is a trotter who will appreciate being in this field, as he is often competing in stronger company on Saturday nights. He has a good turn of foot and great gate speed, which he may choose to use here. COLTRANE (6) is a talented trotter, but he is still learning what trotting and racing are all about. He was impressive winning last start and has won every time he has stayed in his gait this year. He just needs to bring his best manners. QUEEN KIZEN (3), the sister of superstar mare Queen Elida, raced tough in the breeze over the longer trip to finish second in the Warragul Trotters Cup on Monday. She has strong claims again. PARIS JAMILLA (5) has been racing back to her best this preparation. Last start she was good when racing tough on a rain-affected track. It is an awkward barrier, but she is performing well.
BACK: NAKEDTRUTH (4) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: NAKEDTRUTH (4), COLTRANE (6), QUEEN KIZEN (3), PARIS JAMILLA (5)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: SWEET IRISH LOCH (3) has produced two good runs since joining the Joe Pace stable. She recorded a tough win at Ballarat before following up with a solid second at Melton. She lacks brilliant gate speed, so will need some luck early. YA BOTTOM DOLLAR (1) was good last start at Melton, hitting the line well against strong opposition. He should have enough gate speed to map positively from the inside draw. FEARLESS WRITER (6) has put together some nice performances in stronger races than this recently. He just seems to keep finding one or two rivals a little better than him, but he has genuine claims here. STARZZZ DESTINY (7) appears to have the best turn of foot in this event. He will need some luck from barrier seven, but is likely to be one of the horses charging home late.
BACK: SWEET IRISH LOCH (3) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: SWEET IRISH LOCH (3), YA BOTTOM DOLLAR (1), FEARLESS WRITER (6), STARZZZ DESTINY (7)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: TACTICALLY PERFECT (2) looks an exciting prospect for the future. She is a well-bred mare purchased from New Zealand for the Lee stable. She had one career start last year as a two-year-old against older horses and was far too good. She also flashed home impressively in a recent trial. This will be a learning experience for her from a front-row draw against more experienced horses, but her class should shine through. COLOSIMO (3) is a competitive horse who has never finished outside the top four in his career. He consistently races well and has a great turn of foot. On exposed form, he has the best sectional times in the field. MATRIARCH DAISY (4) is a lightly raced filly who continues to improve with each start. She led throughout and won well at Melton last time. She has good gate speed and should be able to map well again here. TAPPY (7) is another progressive type with ability. He is always racing well, but will need to overcome a tricky barrier. Also respecting SHIFFRIN (1), who has endured bad luck and tough runs throughout her career. She should appreciate barrier one.
BACK: TACTICALLY PERFECT (2) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: TACTICALLY PERFECT (2), COLOSIMO (3), MATRIARCH DAISY (4), TAPPY (7)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: DEEJAY DEX (6) is a smart trotter, but he often gets too far back due to his poor early manners. As a result, he is frequently forced to sustain long, tough runs, yet he continues to perform well. The small field should suit, as he is unlikely to get too far back. Sticking with him again here, as he looks close to breaking through for another victory. LITTLE MISS VALLEY (3) has returned this year in career-best form, producing two wins and a second from three starts. This is a rise in class, but she is improving with each run. SPANISH RIZARDO (1) flashed home well into second behind the talented COLTRANE last start. If he can hold a position and not get too far back, he will be strong to the line late. KENNYS SON (5) is in great form, winning three of his last six starts and placing in the other three. Last start he broke late on a rain-affected track, but still managed to finish second. He is a nice horse.
SELECTIONS: DEEJAY DEX (6), LITTLE MISS VALLEY (3), SPANISH RIZARDO (1), KENNYS SON (5)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: This looks like an even trotting contest to end the card. TIPPLE TIME (5) can get it wrong early in his races, which has been costly throughout his lightly raced career. When he trots throughout, he performs well. If he maps well here, he is a great chance, but he will need some luck and good manners. She has a trainer change and significant gear changes here. MAJESTIC CHARMA (3) was good first up at Kilmore last start. He raced in the breeze and battled on well for third. He will improve from that performance. MANDA KYVALLEY (4) is racing better than her form suggests. She finished 10th at her past two starts, but was held up late on both occasions and unable to obtain clear running. She has the best sectional times in this field when she has been able to get into the race and just needs some luck. Also respecting STEADY DREAM (1) with her gate speed from barrier one and TIPPLE TIME’s sister FLYIN TIME (2).
SELECTIONS: TIPPLE TIME (5), MAJESTIC CHARMA (3), MANDA KYVALLEY (4), STEADY DREAM (1)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R1 #4 IM DUSTEE – 2 units (win)
R2 #6 BROTHER MOUNTAIN – 2 units (win)
R3 #4 NAKEDTRUTH – 2 units (win)
R4 #3 SWEET IRISH LOCH – 2 units (win)
R5 #2 TACTICALLY PERFECT – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
3,4,10/1,3,4,6/3,4,6/1,3,6,7
QUADDIE
1,3,6,7/2,3,4/1,3,5,6/1,3,4,5
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
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