OVERVIEW: ESPERANZA (9) has been racing well recently. Last start, she didn’t have the most clear running late but seemed to run on okay. Her run prior was strong when racing in the breeze. She looks well placed here from barrier nine. VERY TEMPTING (10) has been racing okay and rarely puts in a bad run when he gets luck in running. If he can have a positive trip here, he could be the horse flashing home late. ATOMIC GLORY (2) should be able to map positively here from barrier two with his gate speed. BLUE OCEAN (5) has been racing consistently but will need to overcome his barrier.

BACK: ESPERANZA (9) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: CITY ROCKSTAR (4) had a tough, unlucky run last start in harder grade. Her start prior was a good second when travelling with cover. She seems best when driven with one run. If she can map well, she finds a race to get back in the winner’s circle. OWEN THE SAINTS (9) is a better horse than what his recent form looks like on paper. He’s had bad luck and also a few incidents where he hasn’t got his manners right. However, barrier nine will allow him to settle early and stay out of trouble. ASSIGNED (3) has the best overall sectional times in this event. He also drops in class, getting into the event with a claim drive for Nick Beale. OZZIE SUNSHINE (1) can take advantage of the ace barrier here to try to find some of his old strong form. Also respecting BLAZIN BY (8), who returned a winner last start at this track and will likely improve again, and MAURLEN COMPASS (7), who has a sticky barrier but, on times, is the fastest swooper in this event. FEEL THE REIGN (2) could also find some good form from the positive barrier.

OVERVIEW: ALLHEARTNOHEIGHT (6) is in great form, winning two of her last four, both wins coming from Melton. She has to overcome a poor barrier, but she has the confidence and best sectional times in this race. GOODTIME MAE (2) has been out of the winner’s circle for some time. However, she does have enough gate speed to find the fence here and will be in a positive race position to give her every chance. FAVOURITEHIGHLIGHT (5) is an experienced mare looking for win 29. She’s in consistent good form. She can be versatile. THE IRISHMAN (9) is a horse that can make his own luck. He was in the breeze two starts ago and was too strong. He’s racing well.

OVERVIEW: FLYIN TIME (3) has been racing well. Last start, she was third when utilising the sprint lane. But it was her run three starts back when first up that caught my eye. She was wide and storming home well. She looks ready to get back into the winner’s circle. KALARNEY PRINCE (1) has gate speed and the best sectional times in this event. Barrier one suits. The horse on its back, ALDEBARAN DENBAY (8), has a good turn of foot and will be ready to flash home late. JUST ME AND YOU (4) has been racing well but needs to overcome a sticky barrier.

BACK: FLYIN TIME (3) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: THEROUX (3) is a progressive horse who seems to get a bit better each preparation. He is third up here and should be race fit. His two runs back have been okay and he looks well placed here. DIVINE TILLY (5) is a mare with a great turn of foot when she is at her best. She had to do it tough last start in the breeze and will probably be looking for cover here. With a good trip, she will likely figure late. FOREGONE CONCLUSION (6) is in fantastic form, winning four of his last six starts. He seems to race very well in these concession driver races. He can run well again here. WOW YOU CAN DANCE (4) has been a bit up and down with his form this season, but if he can show his best, he’s a first four chance here.

BACK: THEROUX (3) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: SCAR (5) is also in great form. He always puts in a good run when he trots throughout. If he can overcome the sticky barrier, he can win again. FREMARKS PEGGY (2) is in career-best form, winning seven races this season and placing in 10 others. She has an ideal barrier here to use to her advantage. QUEEN KIZEN (6) is returning from a short South Australian campaign. She finished second earlier this year in the Warragul Trotters Cup. She has ability and a great turn of foot. I can’t leave out this sister to champion mare Queen Elida. CHARLESTON AVENUE (8) is first up here and is the only horse on the back row, so he has race map options. He is a quality horse that can be versatile. Fitness is the query. CHAMPAGNE GEMMA (4) is in terrific form, winning her last three races, including two at Melton. She has the confidence.

OVERVIEW: ARCHAA (7)’s run last start can be forgotten. He found the front but was checked and galloped. His prior seven runs were fantastic, finishing in the top three and winning four. My only concern here is he usually likes to find the front, but there is gate speed drawn to his inside here. BRONSKI ROYAL (1) looks to have had a few setbacks, only having had six starts since 2024. He’s third up this time in and should be fitter now. Barrier one gives him the opportunity to regain some form. MIDNIGHT MOJO (6) has the best recent sectional times in this event and, from the barrier, will likely be saved for one run. SMOKING SHANNON (5) has shown mixed form in her two starts for Jamie Egan. First up, she led and won, and in her second run, she led but tired late. She does have good gate speed here and potentially could be first to the fence. An interesting runner to note in this event is FOUR EVER A STAR (3). She has not raced since November 2023 and is first up for trainer Rita Burnett.

BACK: ARCHAA (7) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: LE GASTON (6) is a smart colt for trainer Jess Tubbs. He has been unlucky in a few runs and is ready to win his maiden. He is first up since February but has had a few trials. His class is likely to prevail. DONTTELLNANNA (7) raced fiercely last start and broke. This run can be forgotten. She does have some ability, but she is green. If she’s on her best behaviour, she could perform well here. DEMARTINO (2) is a very well-bred filly, closely related to Lazarus, having her third career start. She will likely be looking for cover here after tiring after racing in the breeze last start. She could be an improver. CAPTAIN MILO (1) has shown some promise, but he can get it wrong with his manners. If he settles here and gets a good trip, he could be flashing home late. Also noting LIKE A LIBRARIAN (5), who is having her second start and is first up in Victoria for new trainer Andrew German.

BACK: LE GASTON (6) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: LITTLE MISS VALLEY (1) is a very smart mare who looks to have a bright future. She is first up here since July, but she should be able to map well here. SAM NIEN (2) is a proven feature race winner from when he was younger. He has fantastic gate speed, which he will likely utilise here to get forward. He may just be racing a little below his best. BROTHER MOUNTAIN (4) is a smart gelding coming out of the Group 3 The Holmfield. He is a versatile trotter and, from his barrier, will likely make his own luck here. AVANT GUARD (5) is a genuine trotter that has raced in fields stronger than this many times. He may not be right at his best, but he is still likely to put forward a strong run. He stands out being a flashy chestnut with a blaze.

OVERVIEW: ROYAL LADY (5) is a first starter for Brent Lilley who was bred in New Zealand. She has had some nice trials in the lead-up to her debut here. She looks promising. Noting she is a two-year-old filly up against older horses, which may be challenging. QUEEN OFTHE SUMMIT (6) is a very well-bred filly who had one start in July, where she let down nicely at Cranbourne. BIG RAIN (2) is one of the more experienced trotters in this field. She is consistent and rarely, if ever, puts a hoof wrong. GLOBAL ELITE (4) is another first starter in this event and one to watch.