Melton Saturday 12 July

OVERVIEW: YAMBUKIAN (11) continues to race in outstanding form and should prove hard to beat again. He worked to the front, dashed clear on the home turn and dead-heated for first with Sahara Breeze last week. TRIPLE EIGHT (10) settled on the markers, was held up for a run at a vital stage and angled wide on the turn when he stormed home late for second behind Bay of Biscay last outing. He was unlucky last time out and is ready to break through for a win but his main rival YAMBUKIAN (11) is probably the more versatile horse of the two. CANTFINDABETTORMAN (9) commenced his campaign off beautifully with two impressive victories then wasn’t beaten by far but didn’t seem to perform as well at his next two attempts. He is a classy horse when racing at his peak and is worth another chance. OPERATIVE TIME (1) and GHOST OF TIME (5) are both fast beginners and have claims over the sprint distance. KEAYANG TOKYO (8) will be fitter after his first up second and is a winning chance if OPERATIVE LINE (1) can hold a forward position at the start. 

SELECTIONS: YAMBUKIAN (11), TRIPLE EIGHT (10), CANTFINDABETTORMAN (9), KEAYANG TOKYO (8)

SUGGESTED BET: YAMBUKIAN (11) to win

OVERVIEW: THE IRON DUKE (10) produced an outstanding run when second behind It’s Confidential last week in a slick mile rate of 1.53.3. He settled in a rearward position, angled wide on the home turn and made up many lengths in the home straight. He is likely to settle in the second half of the field again but is worth an investment on that performance. EASTBRO KOZZY (3) chased gamely when a gallant third behind the smart pacer Storms Collide last outing. He is a consistent pacer and is drawn to gain a trail just off the speed again so he is worth an investment. ALWAYS DANCING (11) won five races in succession before his past two second placed efforts against the Metropolitan 3yo grade. He usually performs best in the leading role so being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but he is racing too well to dismiss. TARA VICTORY (5) settled down last and was the widest runner on the home turn so she put in a very tidy display despite finishing sixth last week. She is racing in good form and looms as a value hope.

SELECTIONS: THE IRON DUKE (10), EASTBRO KOZZY (3), ALWAYS DANCING (11), TARA VICTORY (5)

SUGGESTED BET: THE IRON DUKE (10) each way

OVERVIEW: RUBYS DREAM (9) is shooting for six wins in succession and was a convincing winner of her heat in a mile rate of 1.57.7 so she is likely to attract plenty of support. MEGA SPUR (10) has won three of her past four starts and finished off best after trailing into the race nicely behind KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (12) at her heat success. She should give another bold showing under these conditions. ALDEBARAN BROOKE (11) began briskly from the handicap of 20m, worked to the front and ran along at a very genuine tempo when she scored at Maryborough last outing. She worked hard to lead when fourth in the fastest heat of this series prior and looms as one of the leading chances again. KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (12) was narrowly defeated after being out three horses wide for the last 600m when resuming and should strip fitter from the run so she cannot be left out of calculations.

SELECTIONS: RUBYS DREAM (9), MEGA SPUR (10), ALDEBARAN BROOKE (11), KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (12)

SUGGESTED BET: RUBYS DREAM (9) to win

OVERVIEW: JUSTALITTLESIP (5) backed up a trial victory at Bacchus Marsh in slick time with a fast finishing third behind Rakajed last week. He gets into this race nicely with a concession claim and must be considered as a winning chance. ODIN (8) trailed the leader and was held up for momentum on the home turn before running home nicely along the sprint lane to claim second behind He’s All Torque at Melton last week. He is awkwardly drawn but is racing consistently and deserves to break through for a win. JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (10) possesses a powerful finishing and will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment so she is not without a chance. JACCKA CONNOR (4) came from a long way back and finished off stylishly when third last week. This is a race of similar quality so he is worth thought again. MIGHTY FLYING ART (9) competed against the open class at his Victorian return and is likely to find this assignment to be more suitable.

SELECTIONS: JUSTALITTLESIP (5), ODIN (8), JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (10), JACCKA CONNOR (4)

SUGGESTED BET: JUSTALITTLESIP (5) to win

OVERVIEW: HEZ ALL ROCK (8) recorded a sharp mile rate of 1.54.3 when he scored at Melton three starts ago and followed with a second behind Bettor Isolate in a strong race at Horsham. He has the perfect trailing draw behind MAXNJAX (1) and will be hard to hold out in the run to the finish. MAXNJAX (1) has the lowest number on the National Ratings scale in this race but he is a smart horse and is not to be underestimated. He produced a strong finish to win at Geelong then made up a lot of ground at his latest fourth. UBETTA KNOT (6) is a fast beginner and used a lot of energy in the early stages before trailing the leader when a handy fourth behind Let Her Roll last outing. She is likely to go forward at the start again and is not without a chance. CLEAR LEFT (2) will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment and TALLARAS SHADOW (5) possesses a powerful finishing burst.

SELECTIONS: HEZ ALL ROCK (8), MAXNJAX (1), UBETTA KNOT (6), CLEAR LEFT (2)

SUGGESTED BET: HEZ ALL ROCK (8) each way

OVERVIEW: THUNDA STRUCK (1) has had a terrible run with the barrier draw recently and the last time he drew on the pole position, he was successful, so he is worth thought under these conditions. ALRIGHTY (2) led throughout to win last week and will be strongly fancied. It is a faster front row this evening however and he is no guarantee of finding the lead in a stronger field so the start will be crucial to his chances. EL RESAMO (5) has been racing against strong opposition and is a genuine front running type so he is likely to give a forward showing. SEBASTIANS BOY (8) is a very smart horse when he is able to put it altogether but he has a few gait issues at the start. He has put in several big efforts this preparation despite finishing unplaced in all six attempts and is a winning chance if he delivers a fool proof display. MORE WANTED (6) is a very quick beginner and his chances will be enhanced if he can get across to the markers shortly after the start.

SELECTIONS: THUNDA STRUCK (1), ALRIGHTY (2), EL RESAMO (5), SEBASTIANS BOY (8)

SUGGESTED BET: THUNDA STRUCK (1) each way

OVERVIEW: ALDEBARAN VERA (4) is a genuine open class performer and appears to be well placed in this event. She found the front and copped plenty of pressure when fifth in a sizzling mile rate of 1.53.9 last outing and was runner up behind the Inter Dominion hopeful Aldebaran Acrux prior. JILLIBY BALLERINI (6) remains undefeated from four starts this preparation and led throughout over the handy type in Gotfeelingsyouknow last outing. She continues to take the next step up in grade and is worth thought again. VIRGINIA CLOWERS (5) returns from New Zealand and strikes a suitable assignment first up. She won four races at Melton during her last Australian campaign and she took on the pacers when handy fifth in a trial performance last week. EBONYS AVENGER (7) had every chance last outing but she is a speedy mare and is capable of showing up without surprising.

SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN VERA (4), JILLIBY BALLERINI (6), VIRGINIA CLOWERS (5), EBONYS AVENGER (7)

SUGGESTED BET: ALDEBARAN VERA (4) to win

OVERVIEW: ELLE PERFECTO (6) has already won three races for the season and she dominated her rivals in a very similar race at Melton last week so she should prove hard to beat again. UNCLAD (7) is resuming since a big win at Melton in April but he was a runaway trial winner at Bacchus Marsh last weekend. He is a nicely bred gelding for trainer Alison Alford and appears to have a promising future. HALLEBESOFINE (5) is a fast beginner and was able to outstay her rivals when she scored at Bendigo last outing. She will take catching if she is able to find the lead shortly after the start. TRUSCOTTS ELEGANCE (2) and NORTHERN TRUSCOTT (3) are both trotting consistently and were placed behind ELLE PERFECTO (6) last week so they are worth thought in multiple combinations.

SELECTIONS: ELLE PERFECTO (6), UNCLAD (7), HALLBESOFINE (5), TRUSCOTTS ELEGANCE (2)

SUGGESTED BET: UNCLAD (7) each way