OVERVIEW: ARCHAA (1) is in career-best form, winning four of his past six starts and placing in the other two. He performs well when able to find the front and gets the ace barrier here. WICKED MITZI (10) will appreciate the drop in class. She is the highest-rated horse in the field and gains a start with her mares allowance. However, she faces a tricky barrier over the short trip. HILTONS SPIRIT (7) is in great form and appears to be improving with each start. He hit the line strongly to win at Kilmore last start and has the best sectional times in this event, although the barrier makes things difficult. JET TO HEAVEN (5) was a solid second behind the smart Atua Magic at Wagga last start. He is running good times but will need to find a suitable position early.

BACK: ARCHAA (1) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: This is a competitive trotting event with quite a few nice chances. WITH APLOMB (9) is a very talented mare but does have her quirks. Her past two runs can be forgotten after she was checked in one and galloped in the other. Prior to that, she had been putting together some eye-catching performances. If she trots throughout, she is a big threat. SEBASTIANS WAITING (6) is a big trotter with plenty of ability who won well at Kilmore last start. If he gets the right run, he is a winning chance. ALDEBARAN SUE (10) is a lightly raced mare returning from a successful Queensland campaign, where she had three starts for two wins and a third. She looked very dominant winning at Albion Park last start and appears to be a progressive type. FREMARKS PEGGY (5) is in career-best form and has a great relationship with driver James Herbertson. Also respecting ALDEBARAN SUSANNE (8), who comes out of strong Saturday night fields. She has a great turn of foot but faces an awkward barrier here. Noting ZARSKI (1) is first up for Michael Bellman and has not raced for 243 days. He has ability at his best, but fitness will be the big query here.

OVERVIEW: This looks to be an even contest. HEZ HARRYWHO (7) couldn’t get into the race last start but has been racing well overall. He performs best when he can get forward early, so he will need some luck from the barrier here. ELIZAJANE (5) has settled towards the rear in her recent starts but has been finishing strongly and hasn’t been beaten far. Her turn of foot makes her a big threat here. EMJAY JAZZ (3) has been racing in Queensland and New South Wales in her last few starts and is now back home in Victoria. She has been racing reasonably well and, if she can find a suitable position, she will be a threat. STANDANDELIVER (11) is in great form and comes into this with plenty of confidence, although he has to overcome the awkward barrier. While those four are my top selections, I could make a case for most of the other runners in this field.

OVERVIEW: BUSLIN BRODY (3) has been racing well without winning recently. He ran a good second at Melton last start, letting down strongly late. If he can find a forward position, he is a good chance here. THE ITALIAN DREAM (2) is a smart mare who is always flying home late. Her turn of foot is impressive. POPPY POPSTAR (6) was a good winner at Maryborough last start after racing in the breeze. Another tricky barrier makes things harder, but she can make her own luck. JACKIES GIFT (5) broke the track record for the middle-distance trip at Echuca three starts ago and remains in great form. Also noting MAJESTIC MONARCH (10), who is first up for Graham Lyon and has not been seen for more than a year, but has ability.

OVERVIEW: CHAMPAGNES (1) continues to progress with her great form. With her wins, she’s going up in class but she keeps rising to the level. Barrier one suits her here. The horse on her back, ALDEBARAN MARCUS (8), does look a threat in this race. He raced below his best last start but he will get a good trip behind the favourite here. JESSICAS STORY (7) is one of the best horses in this field. She has the best sectional times in this event. She will just need to overcome the awkward barrier. LIFE ON THE HILL (10) is still learning what trotting is all about. He can do things wrong but he performs well when he puts it all together. He gives his main competitors a head start with the barrier. AFRICAN GALA (6) is a trotter that is improving each preparation. He raced in the Nutrien finals in May and since then has been running fair races when he gets his manners right. He is a chance here with the right run.

BACK: CHAMPAGNES (1) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: FANTASY FLIGHT (4) is a progressive, lightly raced three-year-old. He is second up after a solid first up second at Kilmore last start. He showed fair gate speed on that occasion and should have improved with the run. OUTPOST (1) has had two career starts for two fourth placings. Both runs were solid and he wasn't beaten far. He gets his first fence trip here. AMADA VILLMA (9) appears to be improving with each start this campaign. Last start she worked forward early, found the front and was only narrowly beaten. Barrier nine suits here, allowing her to settle into the running line and be saved for one run late. BEAU BECA (6) is a horse whose ability is a little difficult to gauge. He resumes here after having just five career starts, with a few tough runs among them. He should have improved from his last preparation and, if he settles well, he could be an eye-catcher. Also respecting ARRIVAL TIME (2), who produced an improved fourth at Wagga last start. He has only had two career starts and is still a little green, but with the right run he is a good first four chance.

BACK: FANTASY FLIGHT (4) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: LOVE WHO (2) has good gate speed and likes to get forward in his races. He won well at Kilmore last start after a string of solid performances and gets another suitable barrier in two here. In the event LOVE WHO (2) won last start, BROOKLYNGOTCOURAGE (7) strongly challenged him and was only narrowly beaten. She continues to improve with her manners and ability. KALARNEY PRINCE (8) is the flashy grey who will certainly stand out in this field. He should get a quiet trip here and, if he finds clear running late, he will be flashing home. FLING IT RAINBOW (3) hasn't had the best of luck in his past few runs and is racing better than his form suggests. If he can find a suitable position in the race map, he will be in the finish.

BACK: LOVE WHO (2) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: JET PLANE (4) is a former NSW-trained trotter having his second start for Jess Tubbs. Last start at Melton, he had to chase some getaway leaders and was able to run on well for third. He looks to have some ability and is well placed in this field. ALDEBARAN MIGUEL (8) hasn't had much luck in his two career starts. He finished fourth on debut but had a flat tyre. At his second start, he raced roughly and broke. As the only horse on the second line, he has plenty of space early. We will learn more about him here, but he appears to have ability. UNCLE BILL (3) is a New Zealand-bred trotter having his first career start. His trials have been okay. BIG RAIN (1) has good gate speed and has been consistently running into the placings. Barrier one suits.