OVERVIEW: This looks like an even contest to open the meeting, with many winning chances. THEROUX (11) looks on paper like he has been unable to find his best form this preparation, but things haven’t really gone his way. He does have the best sectional times in this event. Barrier 11 will make it tricky, but the middle distance helps. Similarly, KNOW THE SCORE (8) has been racing well but will need some luck from the barrier. He’s been letting down nicely in recent runs. HOME AND DRY (4) battled on well for third last start after racing in the breeze. The start prior, he flashed home strongly to win at Cranbourne. He is versatile in this grade. THE REGULATOR (2) hasn’t had a lot of luck recently, getting back in the field and covering too much extra ground. His runs have still been solid. He should be able to map more forward from barrier two, even though he doesn’t have electric gate speed. IAMAWINGATE (1) has a good turn of foot and enough gate speed to take advantage of barrier one.

OVERVIEW: SNOWIN (2) has been brave in defeat in her two career runs to date. Last start at Ballarat, she chased home No Repentance and was beaten by just a head after running strongly to the line. She’s a very well-bred Bold Eagle filly and should benefit from barrier two here. ASONGOFTHEHEART (8) was a good third on debut following a nice trial. She was chasing home Snowin and No Repentance and let down nicely. She should improve again with experience. WALKING ON WATER (7) is a pacing-bred trotter and one of the more experienced trotters in this field. She tired last start in a much tougher event but was a good second at this track the start prior. ROYAL LADY (6) is an interesting trotter here. She has some quality trial form, but in her one career start she got it wrong with her manners. She looks like she could be an exciting trotter once she puts it all together.

BACK: SNOWIN (2) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: COOL STORY (9) has been racing OK but has endured a run of bad luck. He follows out fast beginner HURRICANE HOOLY (2) and should get a good trip. He has the best sectional times in this event. BRAVE ART (1) is second-up for the Carson Millar stable. She couldn’t make up ground last start in a strong field on a rain-affected track after pulling back from a wide barrier. She should get a better run from barrier one. WINGATE GUY (7) has won two of his last three starts and powered home from well back to win impressively last start. The barrier makes it tougher here. UNDERATTACK (8) resumed last month after more than two years away. He let down well but needed the run for fitness and should improve here.

OVERVIEW: This looks to be a competitive race with a number of good chances. NORMANDY NUGGET (5) has a great turn of foot and enough gate speed to map well here. He sustained a good run for third at this track last start in rain-affected conditions and is racing well. FAKE CULLECTION (8) led and tired a little late when first-up. She won well at her start prior to going for a break and should improve with fitness. With the right run, she can be flashing home late. ICANMOTOR (7) is racing well and flashed home nicely for second at this track last start. He’ll need some luck from the barrier. IMAGUNNARESTNGO (3) can be quirky at times, but she has a solid turn of foot with the right run. She’ll need to map well to be a threat late. Also respecting BLUE OCEAN (1) from the ace barrier.

BACK: NORMANDY NUGGET (5) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: ULTIMATE VINNIE (8) is a very smart horse who is well placed here. Last start at Terang, he raced wide in a race run near track-record time. It was a super run. He’s been unlucky at Free For All level, and from barrier eight he should stay out of trouble here. IMA TERMINATOR (7) is a smart horse at his best and has had some really tough runs recently, including in the breeze. He may need to make his own luck again here, but he has the ability. DONMARO (5) is a smart ex-New Zealand performer who probably hasn’t shown his best since moving to Australia earlier this year. He has had a few issues in his starts here but is first-up after a short break and trialled impressively at Melton last week. KING SAINT (6) was brave last start in the breeze at Shepparton. He’s a versatile horse who can make his own luck. From barrier one, STEEL THE MOMENT (1) should get a good trip here.

OVERVIEW: PURPLE MOON (8) is a talented Menangle-trained filly campaigning in Victoria. Two starts ago, she missed away, recovered to catch the field and flashed home into second. Last start, she was checked out of the field but again recovered to hit the line strongly. As the only horse on the back row, she should have time to settle early. JOE LOU (7) is a talented, in-form trotter who has won five of his last eight starts. The barrier presents a challenge, but James Herbertson takes the reins and will be able to navigate the tricky draw. CHAMPAGNES (5) is another in-form trotter who is consistently competitive and can’t be left out of the numbers. She faces an awkward barrier but is racing well enough to overcome it. NO TELLING HEATHER (4) led throughout to win well at this track last start and should be able to secure another favourable run here.

BACK: PURPLE MOON (8) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: This is a quality trotting event. ADELAIDE RED (7) and ZARSKI (1) are both talented, progressive trotters who look likely to feature in upcoming Group 1 races. ADELAIDE RED (7) is already a Group 1 winner, having taken out the Breeders Crown 2yo Trotting Fillies Final last year. She ran home strongly for third in the Vicbred Super Series 3yo Trotting Fillies Final last start. She is a smart filly but will need to overcome the awkward barrier here. ZARSKI (1) raced in the breeze and suffered a flat tyre last start in the Vicbred Super Series Final won by Sam Nien. He is a talented top-level trotter who will appreciate barrier one here. SOLOTREKK (2) looks an exciting trotter who continues to take the next step. He clearly has plenty of ability but is yet to be tested at the top level. This is a tough test, but it will be a good gauge of whether he can take another step forward. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (4) has a nice turn of foot and will be running home strongly with the right run.

BACK: ADELAIDE RED (7) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: NIGHT FLIGHT (4) is in terrific form and performs well at this track. He has great gate speed and was a good winner last start. This is a little harder, but he continues to improve. POPPY POPSTAR (2) doesn’t have the strongest numerical form, but she has nice ability on her day. She should find the fence early and gets a good opportunity here. WHY NOW (5) is a lightly raced trotter having his sixth career start, but he appears to be a progressive type. He does have his quirks and is still learning what racing is all about, so there are some question marks over where he maps here. He does have the best sectional times in this event. JAKARTA (7) has been a little unlucky recently but is racing well. His main rivals have better barriers, which makes things tricky for him here.

BACK: NIGHT FLIGHT (4) – 2 units (win)