OVERVIEW: MYSTIC MOTIVER (2) and EVA EXPRESS (1) have the best recent sectional times in this field. MYSTIC MOTIVER (2) has had three starts this preparation, finishing fifth last start after two consecutive seconds. She let down nicely last time but couldn’t make up enough ground in a 27.2 last quarter. It was an encouraging performance, and she looks well placed here. EVA EXPRESS (1) has had just three career starts, producing adequate performances so far. Barrier one is a positive, giving her the opportunity to make the most of the inside draw. TAMALIA (3) has good gate speed and, with only four career starts under her belt, has scope to improve with further fitness and experience. SPOT THE DEVIL (7) has shown improved form since joining the Mark Watson stable and looks ready to break through for his maiden victory. His barrier is the main challenge.

OVERVIEW: HARLEY LANE (9) is a smart mare trained by Jayne Davies who is first up since December 2025. She has shown plenty of ability, finishing just 12.8 metres from the winner in last year’s Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final for three-year-old fillies. She has had three trials this year and, from barrier nine, can follow through early into a handy position without being used up. LORIMERMAJOR (2) has been racing well and looks to be working towards a return to the winners’ circle. If he can map well from barrier two and avoid a tough run, he can be in the finish. MILEY KAY (6) has had just four career starts and looks a smart filly. She was dominant when finding the front and winning her maiden last start. This is a step up in class, and finding the front again could be difficult. SPUN SILVER (5) is a flashy, high-speed grey mare who underperformed last start. If she can bounce back to her best and find some luck, she is worth considering for the exotics. FRESH PRINCE (8) is also one to note, having his first start for new trainer Mick Carbone.

BACK: HARLEY LANE (9) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: RAKAROMPA (9) is a talented but lightly raced mare returning to the track for the first time since June. She has had three solid trials leading into this assignment and, at her best, can run the fastest times in this field. Barrier nine also suits. SPEEDY HEALEY (4) rarely runs a bad race and, much like his namesake, can show plenty of speed when saved for one run. YELLA (1) has been consistent, finishing in the top five at every start since June. She led last start but was run down late by the swoopers. The inside draw suits, giving her the opportunity to race on the fence. CALYPSO MISTRESS (5) is first up but has had three trials in preparation for her return. Fitness remains the query, although she is a competitive and consistent type.

OVERVIEW: LIBERTY STAR DUST (2) looks a good each-way play in this event. She should have enough gate speed to find the fence early and, despite doing it tough in a decent race last start, she has the best sectional times in this field. She has been out of the winners’ circle for a while, but her sectionals suggest she has the ability to make her presence felt. BILLYS TIGER KHAN (8) is a very talented horse and will likely be the favourite in this event. He improved a nice winner last start after a long time on the sidelines. He will improve again from that run.  HELLO POSSUMS (1) can have a line drawn through her last start, as she had no clear running late but looked to be travelling well. She is racing nicely and will get a good trip here on the fence. POSTERIZED (4) gives Talia Taugge her first start as a driver here, so best of luck to Talia! Posterized is a nice horse for Kate and Andy Gath who ran a tough second last start at Melton, narrowly beaten late after racing in the breeze.

BACK: LIBERTY STAR DUST (2) – 1 unit (win)/ 2 units (place)

OVERVIEW: ROYAL LADY (10) is a New Zealand-bred trotter who has had three career starts in Australia for Brent Lilley. She got it wrong with her manners on debut, but showed what she can do two starts ago when doing everything right in a tougher field and battling on well. She made another costly mistake last start, but her effort was eye-catching. After galloping early and losing considerable ground, she recovered and flashed home to be beaten by just half a neck. The ability is there, but she needs to put it all together and trot throughout. BIRMINGHAM GIRL (5) has had just one career start, finishing third at Cranbourne. She let down nicely once clear late and should improve with that experience under her belt. PASTOR JAY JAY (8) is a first starter for trainer John Justice. He looked good winning a trial last start, sprinting home along the sprint lane. We will learn more about him after this run. BELIEVE IN SUNNY (6) returned with a pleasing third last start after racing in the breeze and fighting on well late. He should improve here with added fitness.

BACK: ROYAL LADY (10) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY MISTY (4) has been racing well and deserves some luck. Two starts ago at Maryborough, she had a tough run in the breeze in rain-affected conditions but still battled on well for second. Last start, she sustained a three-wide trip and was beaten by just 4.3 metres. She is going well and will be hoping for a more favourable race map here. KIMBERLEYS TREE (9) has the best sectional times in this field and possesses plenty of ability when she puts it all together. However, bad luck and occasional mistakes with her manners have affected her recent results, leaving her numerical form looking less impressive. Barrier nine suits, and if she can trot throughout, she will be a major threat. JESSICAS STORY (6) had a tough run at Maryborough last start but remained strong and determined late to finish third. She is a nice horse, although the barrier makes things tricky. CHRISTMAS BABE (2) has good gate speed and should map well from this draw. The race distance also suits her.

OVERVIEW: CHASING THE WIND (3) is racing better than his numerical form suggests. He endured a very tough run in the breeze last start and, despite finishing last, it was far from a disappointing performance. If he can map well here, he has an opportunity to turn his form around. FAKE CULLECTION (8) is an interesting mare who can be a little inconsistent and occasionally gets it wrong with her manners. She tired last start, but when she puts it all together, she is capable of a good performance. At her best, she is a winning chance. DELTA STARZ (5) drops in class for this event but will need some luck from the barrier. UNETHICAL (2) comes out of barrier one following the scratching of the horse inside her. She is lightly raced, having had just five starts this year, and produced one of the best runs of her career last start. From barrier one, she was shuffled back on the fence but hit the line well to finish fifth. She gets another opportunity here, with the prospect of a similar race map helping her build on that effort with confidence. ROCKNROLL RAMBO (11) and TASTE IT (10) also deserve respect.

OVERVIEW: WAIKARE ADRIENNA (2) is a nice trotter who made an impressive return to the winners’ circle last start. Second up, she raced in the breeze before forging clear late to score convincingly. That effort came from barrier seven, and she should be better placed here from barrier two. ABBIE (4) had a tough run last start and tired late, but her previous effort was encouraging. She flashed home impressively from midfield to win and will be looking to build on that performance. FRANKS A LOT (6) is a promising trotter who has made a strong impression in his first two career starts. He finished a strong second on debut after racing in the breeze, then sustained a three-wide trip last start to win impressively. He faces a tricky barrier here, and each start will bring tougher challenges. WALLIS (9) finds a suitable barrier to follow through early and be saved for a late sprint.

OVERVIEW: I SEA RED (7) is a talented gelding returning for his first start since February. Now three, he showed plenty of promise as a young horse while racing against some talented horses in his age group. Barrier seven makes his return tricky, but he looks the standout performer in this field. BUNGY (8) has produced recent performances that look close to his best and appears ready to return to the winners’ circle. The barrier is awkward, however. BEAU BECA (2) looks likely to map better than his main rivals, with the opportunity to find the fence and make the most of a favourable trip. He is racing well enough to capitalise if things fall into place. THESTING (6) is an interesting runner who remains lightly raced. He galloped early in each of his first two starts this campaign. Last start, the horse in front of him galloped, forcing him to check, so he was not at fault. He showed promise earlier in his career and could turn his form around here. I am also expecting an improved performance from THE PRIVATE DEAL (10).

BACK: I SEA RED (7) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: WOODLEA DIEGO (3) comes out of barrier two following the scratching of the horse drawn in barrier one. He let down nicely at Ballarat last start but had little clear running late. If he can map well here, he finds a suitable race. SENNA STORM (2) gets the ideal opportunity for a fence run from barrier one following the scratching of the horse inside him. He finished seventh when first up last start and was clearly beaten, unable to make up ground late. However, he is capable of capitalising on the right run at his best, and he should get his chance from the inside gate here. KNOW THE SCORE (8) gets one more chance from me. He got it wrong with his manners two starts ago and tired quite uncharacteristically last start, although his previous runs were good. At his best, he is a nice horse in a field like this, but there are some questions about where he is at. ONECROWDEDHOUR (9) was first up last start, got well back and let down well late. He should improve from that run.