Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for tonight’s meeting at Melton.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: PISTOL PEARCE (3) has brilliant gate speed and has drawn ideally to make full use of it. He should be able to find the front and will take plenty of catching from there. ANGELS WATCHING (9) has put together three strong performances since joining the John Justice stable. He raced well and was promoted to first at his stable debut before backing that up with two solid efforts in much stronger company. He should appreciate the drop in class. NUGGET ROGERS (2) has finished second at his past two starts, hitting the line strongly on each occasion. He lacks gate speed and may be shuffled back early, but he will be charging home late. KING SAINT (6) has endured a few tough and unlucky runs recently but continues to race well. He faces another awkward barrier, although he has the ability to be competitive with the right run.
BACK: PISTOL PEARCE (3) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: PISTOL PEARCE (3), ANGELS WATCHING (9), NUGGET ROGERS (2), KING SAINT (6)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: COVERED IN GOLD (8) has thrived since joining the Chris Svanosio stable. He endured two unlucky runs before breaking through with a strong win last start. The barrier is awkward, but if he can find clear running, he is capable of winning again. FEEL THE REIGN (9) is a 28-time winner who has been a quality performer at his best. If he can follow through into a suitable position, he has the finishing speed to be charging home late. Australia’s leading driver James Herbertson takes the reins for the first time. SKIPPYS DELIGHT (3) has covered extra ground in stronger races at his recent starts. His performances have been sound and, with the right run, he appeals as a good each-way chance. HURRIKANE DUSTY (2) is racing well and has the gate speed to potentially find the front. His encouraging run last start suggests he is back near his best. METRO MEMORY (1) must be respected here from the barrier. Also noting YARRAMAN JOLT (7), who resumes for John Tormey. He has the best gate speed and sectional times in this field.
BACK: FEEL THE REIGN (9) – 1 unit (win)/ 2 units (place)
SELECTIONS: FEEL THE REIGN (9), COVERED IN GOLD (8), SKIPPYS DELIGHT (3), HURRIKANE DUSTY (2)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: FREAK OUT (3) has been racing in fantastic form, placing at his past six starts, including two victories. If he can settle in a favourable position, he looks a genuine winning chance. Ross Graham prepares three runners in this event, with stablemates TOPHUT JOHNY (5) and TEX GOES BANG (9) both racing well and capable of winning with the right run. Stablemate TOMMYS LOOKOUT (7) also lines up, although the barrier makes his task more difficult. OUR TRUE COLOURS (4) has the best sectional times in the field, despite his numerical form not reading all that well. If he enjoys some luck in running, he appeals as a good value chance.
SELECTIONS: FREAK OUT (3), TOPHUT JOHNY (5), TEX GOES BANG (9), OUR TRUE COLOURS (4)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: DIAMOND CHIPP (2) is an Art Major-sired debutant for trainer Jodi Quinlan and driver Taylor Ford. His trial performances have been sound and he has drawn favourably in barrier two. ZEALYN (7) has not been far away in recent starts and has the best sectional times in this event. The awkward barrier is the main challenge, but he has the ability to be competitive. ALL DONE TARA (5) caught the eye when finishing second at big odds in a much stronger race two starts ago. Last start she returned to maiden company, led and understandably tired late. She appears better suited when saved for one run. MAJOR FRIEND (1) had her only career start last preparation, where she weakened late. She has since enjoyed a break and returned with two sound trials. From the ace barrier, she looks capable of improving.
SELECTIONS: DIAMOND CHIPP (2), ZEALYN (7), ALL DONE TARA (5), MAJOR FRIEND (1)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: COOL STORY (8) resumed with an impressive maiden victory at Bendigo last start. While it was against maiden company, he was strong through the line, running home in a slick 27.5-second final quarter. As the only runner on the back row, he has options early and looks capable of stepping up again. PRECIOUS BELLE (3) was a strong winner at Cranbourne two starts ago, flashing home from last. She backed that up with another solid performance last start. She has an excellent turn of foot and, if saved for one run, will be charging home late. BRIGHTLY BLAZE (4) finished last on paper at his most recent outing, but his run was much better than it appears. He never saw clear running and still let down nicely late. He is racing better than his numerical form suggests. DIVINE TILLY (5) is a smart mare at her best. She finished off well last start and, with the right run in transit, is a genuine winning chance.
BACK: COOL STORY (8) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: COOL STORY (8), PRECIOUS BELLE (3), BRIGHTLY BLAZE (4), DIVINE TILLY (5)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: This 1200-metre sprint looks ideally suited to BONA KHAN (7). He has brilliant gate speed and thrives when able to roll along in front. Despite the awkward barrier, the short-course conditions play to his strengths. HAPPENSTBABEACHBOY (8) has the best sectional profile in the race, with the quickest final quarter and last 800 metres. Finishing speed is a major asset over this distance. AVEIRO (5) has been racing well and was unlucky not to win over this track last start, charging home from near last to be narrowly beaten. LIVERMERE (3) has been racing well enough and, if she can settle in a favourable position, is a solid first four chance. Also respecting SIR CANDY CLOUD (1), who resumes from the ace barrier, which can be a significant advantage in these short-course events.
BACK: BONA KHAN (7) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: BONA KHAN (7), HAPPENSTBABEACHBOY (8), AVEIRO, LIVERMERE (3)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: MYNAMEISRUBY (4) is a mare who can be competitive when things go her way. She showed a good turn of foot from three back on the fence to finish third last start. If she can settle in a favourable position, she will be hitting the line strongly. DREAMTIME NALA (5) and REASON TO LAUGH (3) share the best sectional times in this field, although their numerical form does not immediately stand out. Both have awkward barriers and will need to find suitable positions early. POWERLINC (1) has had two starts in Victoria, where she was driven conservatively from barrier six on both occasions. She has good gate speed and can take full advantage of the ace draw here.
SELECTIONS: MYNAMEISRUBY (4), DREAMTIME NALA (5), REASON TO LAUGH (3), POWERLINC (1)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: LOVE WHO (2) has had little luck in recent starts, which is reflected in his numerical form. He has drawn well here and John Caldow takes the reins for the first time. JOE LOU (6) has been racing well enough when he gets his manners right. The Ross Graham and James Herbertson combination commands respect, but he will need to trot throughout. PATNWILL (1) has good gate speed and should be able to make full use of the ace barrier. He was beaten just three metres in similar company last start and looks well placed. NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (3) has been racing well enough in recent starts. He lacks high gate speed, which may allow him to avoid the early speed battle before being saved for one run. Also respecting ALLWATFUNJINGLES (5) who has had a good season.
SELECTIONS: LOVE WHO (2), JOE LOU (6), PATNWILL (1), NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (3)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R1 #3 PISTOL PEARCE – 3 units (win)
R2 #9 FEEL THE REIGN – 1 unit (win)/ 2 units (place)
R5 #8 COOL STORY – 2 units (win)
R6 #7 BONA KHAN – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
3,9/2,3,8,9/3,5,9/1,2,5,7
QUADDIE
3,8/5,7,8/3,4,5/1,2,6
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
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