Melton Saturday 2 August

OVERVIEW: YAMBUKIAN (9) has been in outstanding form having won at his past five attempts. He circled around the field to race without cover and battled on too well when he defeated Young Bluey in a mile rate of 1.54.7 last week. He is very strong and looms as one of the leading chances again. CATCH A WAVE (6) returns from his Inter Dominion campaign and will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment. He performs best over the sprint distance and is a multiple Group 1 winner so he is the class runner of the field. SAHARA BREEZE (1) settled in a rearward position, came out very wide on the home turn and finished off brilliantly to win at Menangle last week. She was able to dead-heat for first with YAMBUKIAN (9) prior and she is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern so she must be respected. MIKI TO SUCCESS (2) and OLIVER DAN (3) are both capable of showing up without surprising.

SELECTIONS: YAMBUKIAN (9), CATCH A WAVE (6), SAHARA BREEZE (1), MIKI TO SUCCESS (2)

SUGGESTED BET: YAMBUKIAN (9) to win

OVERVIEW: FOX DAN (11) was resuming since a fourth in the Bathurst Gold Chalice in March when he finished off quickly for second behind SILVER PISTOL (12) at Melton last outing. He should be fitter from that performance and is capable of turning the tables. SILVER PISTOL (12) was resuming since a fifth in the New South Wales Derby in March when he led throughout at Melton. He did win a heat of the Derby three starts ago and he is building up a strong record so he is worth thought again. FORTY LOVE (10) was also resuming since March when a close second behind the smart pacer Keayang Hollywood. He is a tough campaigner and is not to be underestimated. JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (8) finished off solidly but just failed to peg back Look Like Diamonds when a close second last week. She possesses a strong finishing burst and is a minor place chance again.

SELECTIONS: FOX DAN (11), SILVER PISTOL (12), FORTY LOVE (10), JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (8)

SUGGESTED BET: FOX DAN (11) to win

OVERVIEW: NEATNTIDY (6) finished off strongly but not as fast as the winner Sweet Ideal when a handy second two starts ago then was doing his best work at the end when seventh (6m) behind All Da Rage last week. He is racing in good form and this race is slightly easier so he must be considered as one of the leading chances. RANGER RICK (12) is a very fast pacer and excelled after being given the perfect trip when he dashed home to win at Hamilton last outing. He prefers to be drawn on the front line where he can utilize his brilliant gate speed but he is racing too well to dismiss. THE SPORTZ STAR (4) worked out of the gate before taking cover and battled on well for a close second at Stawell. He recorded a mile rate of 1.54.4 when he scored at Charlton three starts ago and is drawn to run a good race again. BIZZNESS CLASS (13) progressed forward to race without cover and battled on bravely for second behind All Da Rage last week. This race is of similar standard and he is worth thought again.

SELECTIONS: NEATNTIDY (6), RANGER RICK (12), THE SPORTZ STAR (4), BIZZNESS CLASS (13)

SUGGESTED BET: NEATNTIDY (6) to win

OVERVIEW: HOPPY (7) is a very talented 4yo trotter, which produced a very tidy performance to win at Bendigo last outing after he began slowly from the standing start. He is building up a consistent record and appears to be one of the leading chances again. MEGA SPUR (9) motored across from the outside of the front line to find the lead, set up a genuine tempo and was run down at the end when sixth against the open class last week. She finished second in the Mares Sprint Championship prior and this race is easier so she must be respected. DOSSIER (4) progressed forward from a wide alley to race without cover and battled on well for third behind Keayang Kurki at Bendigo last outing. She continues to race consistently and should give another forward showing here. FOUROUTOFFIVE (8) will appreciate a drop back in class on his recent performances and rates as a value chance.

SELECTIONS: HOPPY (7), MEGA SPUR (9), DOSSIER (4), FOUROUTFFIVE (8)

SUGGESTED BET: HOPPY (7)

OVERVIEW: A TRUE STORY (10) appreciated not commencing from a massive handicap when he finished off strongly for an eye-catching third behind Hoppy at Bendigo. His form in New Zealand was sound so he is worth a ticket each way. SER PATRICK (8) has the perfect trailing draw behind the likely leader and he was a runaway winner in handy time at the Maryborough trials on Sunday so a big showing is expected first up. IMPERIAL COMMAND (1) is stepping up in class but he possesses early speed and he has won three of out of his past four starts. He led throughout to win quite comfortably at Ballarat last outing so he is worth thought again. EL RESAMO (9) has been racing against stronger opposition recently and is capable of improving on his numerical form. WORTH WAITING (3) was resuming since a seventh in the Super Series Final when she scored softly at Echuca. This is much harder than the first up run but she is very promising and is not to be underestimated.

SELECTIONS: A TRUE STORY (10), SER PATRICK (8), IMPERIAL COMMAND (1), EL RESAMO (9)

SUGGESTED BET: A TRUE STORY (10) each way

OVERVIEW: SOME AMERICAN (7) won the Breeders Crown last season and was a multiple Group 1 place getter so he is a quality 4yo and is sure to make his presence felt. He set up a genuine tempo in the lead and was run down over the latter stages when fourth in a fast mile rate of 1.52.2 when resuming. JILLIBYJACKSPARROW (9) is resuming since an eighth in the Kilmore Cup in September but he has performed nicely at the Terang trials and he is a smart pacer when racing at his peak form. SURFINGMAKESCENTS (5) produced a big finish to score in a mile rate of 1.54.6 when resuming then used plenty of energy in the early stages before being shuffled back in the field mid-race when sixth last time out. She didn’t have much luck last outing and she is worth another chance. ITS CONFIDENTIAL (6) worked to the front and appeared to have his chance when third in a heat of the Winter Gift at Menangle but the winner Jilliby Fabio came out to win the Final of that series a week later so the form line is strong. ODIN (4) and JUSTALITTLESIP (8) are both capable of showing up without surprising.

SELECTIONS: SOME AMERICAN (7), JILLIBYJACKSPARROW (9), SURFINGMAKESCENTS (5), ITS CONFIDENTIAL (6)

SUGGESTED BET: SOME AMERICAN (7) to win

OVERVIEW: It is a terrific race for the trotters with three very strong chances. JILLIBY BALLERINI (7) is race fit and in form so she gets the nod. She remains undefeated in five starts for the season and produced a top effort after breaking stride in the score up when she gunned down Aldebaran Vera at her latest attempt. KEAYANG STUKA (6) hasn’t raced since finishing third in the 2024 Inter Dominion Final in December but he finished a close second behind JILLIBY BALLERINI (7) at a recent Terang trial performance and he has the class to test his main rivals. VIOLET STANFORD (2) is resuming since winning the Breeders Crown over JILLIBY BALLERINI (7) back in November. She has had three trials recently for two wins and a second with the latest second being behind the Metropolitan class pacer He’s Charlies Angel so she should be prominent throughout. NEPHEW OF SONOKO (5) raced roughly under pressure in the home straight but was able to cling on and win under similar conditions last week. He is never far away and is capable of filling a place with the right luck in running.

SELECTIONS: JILLIBY BALLERINI (7), KEAYANG STUKA (6), VIOLET STANFORD (2), NEPHEW OF SONOKO (5)

SUGGESTED BET: Boxed Trifecta 2,6,7 (Cost $6)

OVERVIEW: HUMOUR ME (6) is an Emma Stewart trained filly, which led throughout to win on debut. She is stepping up in class for this assignment but she obviously has ability and is capable of taking the next step forward. BLACKINDEED (2) attempted to lead throughout when a close second behind Muselet at Geelong three starts ago. She had little luck from a poor draw at Geelong last outing and is worth an investment under these conditions. JIMMY BREEZE (8) is a lightly raced 6yo pacer, which is resuming since a victory at Shepparton in November. He finished fourth behind He’s Charlies Angel in a strong trial at Shepparton on Thursday night and he should be hitting the line strongly. NOTHING SWEETER (1) and KALKADOON DREAMING (3) have both been in winning form and are drawn to go well. MY WAY (10) and SENNA STORM (11) are well placed against this field and are worth thought despite drawing poorly.

SELECTIONS: HUMOUR ME (6), BLACKINDEED (2), JIMMY BREEZE (8), KALKADOON DREAMING (3)

SUGGESTED BET: BLACKINDEED (2) each way