OVERVIEW: This is a very even race with plenty of chances to open the meeting. ELIZAJANE (9) is in brilliant form, having won three of her last five starts. All of her recent wins have come when she has found the front. She will have a different race map here, but it should still suit her. She has the best sectional times in this event. BREATHE EASY (1) has great gate speed and is racing well. He has the option to hold the front or take a sit, but he is suited over the short trip. INTERPRETATION (7) is racing well despite her only fair numerical form. She has faced some tough race maps recently and comes up against another tricky barrier here, but with some luck, she is a winning chance. MISTER JIMARINGLE (5) was restricted for racing room late last start but looked to be letting down nicely. He is racing well and, if he can map favourably here, he is a great chance. Also respecting YANKEE MOJOH (11), who is flying at the moment. However, barrier 11 over the short trip at Kilmore will be difficult to overcome.

OVERVIEW: KIMCHI (9) drops in class here, having not contested an NR up to 40 race in quite some time. He has been racing well, has a good relationship with driver Taylor Youl and should be able to follow through at the start. THE LADYBIRD (5) was an eye-catching winner at Horsham last start. She found a good position midfield, was saved for one run and flew home to win nicely. If she can find a similar race map here, she can go back-to-back. MIKI MARK (7) is racing consistently well and has rarely finished outside the top five recently. He faces a tricky barrier here. TOMMYS LOOKOUT (6) is an interesting runner. At his last two starts, he has worked hard to find the front and tired a little late. He has the best last sectional times in this field. If he can slot into a good position without being used too hard early, he will be a threat late. Also respecting LAVADA GOLD (2) here.

OVERVIEW: THREE SIX THREE (2) is a very well-bred colt making his debut. He is by Captaintreacherous out of Art De Triomphe, making him a brother to Gawn and Petillante. He used the sprint lane to win a trial at this track in late September, although it was in slow time. We will learn more about his ability here, and whatever he does, he will likely improve from the experience. AMANDO (3) is having his second career start. On debut, he tired and dropped out before being sent back to the trials. Although the trial was run in slow time, the way he won looked impressive. I am happy to give him another chance here. ELLIANA (11) came close to breaking through for her maiden victory on several occasions last preparation. She is first-up here and will be vulnerable from the tricky barrier, but she is one of the better horses in this field on exposed form. HEAVENLY NIKKY (9) is another horse who has come close to breaking through for her maiden victory on several occasions. She is racing well and now comes up against a tricky barrier, so she will need some luck to find clear running late. However, she is a winning chance here.

OVERVIEW: CRACKIN PHILTRA (4) has had only three career starts since November 18, but they have all been good runs. He returned to the track in October, racing in the breeze and fighting on strongly. He will improve with fitness and appears to be a classy type. LIBERTY STAR DUST (7) has the best sectional times on exposed form in this field. He finished second last start behind Cyclone Jenni at Cranbourne after flashing home. With the right run, he will be flashing home again. TRYX VIXEN (3) is a smart filly who is racing well and suits barrier three. ULTIMATE GRANGE (6) is having his fourth career start here. Forget his last run, as he had a flat tyre. His previous start was a nice win at Ballarat. I also have plenty of respect for JANSEN (5), who rarely runs a poor race. TOSWEETTOTAME (2) is a first starter here, but his trial form has included some well-beaten efforts.

BACK: CRACKIN PHILTRA (4) – 4 units (win)

OVERVIEW: MELICAN (6) is an exciting young filly for Rebecca Barley. She has had two career starts for two wins, with a cumulative winning margin of 44.9 metres. We are yet to discover her ceiling. FOREGONE CONCLUSION (1) is an experienced performer stepping out for his 205th start. He is racing well and should get a good run along the fence here. ALTIUS (2) is in great form after winning nicely first-up last start. With his great gate speed, he is likely to find the fence here. CATIES SON (8) is first-up but is the only horse on the back row. He has options from there. I also respect THE BLAZINBOOTS (7), who is in great form but faces a poor barrier.

BACK: MELICAN (6) – 4 units (win)

OVERVIEW: TOBYS SHOUT (7) was ultra-impressive last start at Wagga. He was wide early, worked forward to the breeze and was simply too good late. He has the best sectional times in this event. The barrier is a concern, but he can make his own luck. ROCK POSTER (5) is third-up here and should be approaching peak fitness. She was too far back to get into the race last start, while at her previous outing she ran home nicely for third at Ballarat. She should improve with fitness but will need some luck from the barrier. THEROUX (3) found his best form last start to win at Ballarat. He was three-back on the fence, got wide late and ran home well. He has his winning confidence back. MISS PIGGY WIGGY (6) led and won nicely last start at Shepparton. She is unlikely to find the front here, but she is racing well. Keep an eye on HIGHVIEW HAMMER (4) early. He has good gate speed and, if he can map well, he also comes into contention.

OVERVIEW: TALKNPLAY (4) was first-up last start since December 2025 and was also making his debut for new trainer Mark Thompson. He led and was too good late. Expect an improved performance here with added fitness. KNOW THE SCORE (3) can be forgiven for his last start, when he galloped due to a gear malfunction. Prior to that, he had been racing quite well. He has a nice turn of foot. REASON TO LAUGH (5) has won two of his last three starts and is in career-best form. He is a good swooper and, if saved for one run, will be flashing home. SHEZABLUECHIP (6) raced in the breeze to win well last start at Shepparton. She faces a tricky barrier here but can make her own luck.

OVERVIEW: This is a nice race, with every horse in the field appearing to be a progressive type with an exciting future. DECODE (6) is a nice horse for Chris Svanosio. He finished eighth last start in a Victoria Derby heat, running home nicely despite it being his first look at the 2760-metre trip. He is a very talented horse and ran a brilliant 1:50.7 at Wagga the start prior. Back to the shorter trip here, he will be hard to beat. DELIGHTFUL MIKI (5) ran home nicely to finish a respectable third at Melton last start. She is a smart mare. Abby Sanderson has two runners in this event, CAPTAIN MOLLY (1) and THE WISE GUY (7), and both have plenty of ability and look to be progressive types. However, both are first-up and may need the run. CAPTAIN MOLLY (1) is suited by barrier one and should get a good trip. THE WISE GUY (7) has not raced since August 2025, so he may be vulnerable from the barrier. STORM VENDETTA (2) won in nice time last start at Ballarat. He has a great turn of foot, but this is a tough race.

BACK: DECODE (6) – 2 units (win)