OVERVIEW: JILLIBY CONNECTION (7) had her first career start in a recent feature race at Menangle. In the run, she looked to be travelling well but broke under pressure late. Connections wouldn’t have taken her all that way first-up if she wasn’t capable. Her trial form has been good. If she trots here, we should see her best. GATESYS DELIGHT (4) is a first starter for Mark Hughes. She has good trial form. We will learn more about her here, but she shows promise. LOLLY (3) is a promising filly. She finished second in a recent Vicbred Super Series heat. With a good trip, she can run a nice race. GULBAHAR (9) is a nice filly. Two starts ago, she galloped, caught the field and finished a strong second. Last start, she hit the line well for third, beating many exciting young trotters.

BACK: JILLIBY CONNECTION (7) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: ADELAIDE RED (6) is a talented filly who is proven in big races, having won the Breeders Crown last year. She competed well through the recent Vicbred Super Series and Trotters Oaks. She has a great turn of foot. If she’s within striking distance here, she is a massive threat. AMIRA (2) showed her talent two starts ago when she stormed home to take out the Need For Speed Princess heat. Since then, she’s run two good races in Group 1s, but she’s had poor barriers and just got too far back. Barrier two is a positive change here. ALDEBARAN ADA (7) is an eye-catching filly who is always competitive at the top of her age group. If she trots throughout and has some luck from the barrier, she’s right in this. CHANTILLY LASS (1) was an eye-catching third at massive odds two starts ago in the Group 1 Need For Speed Princess. If she can hold a forward position here, she could be making some punters happy again at big odds.

BACK: AMIRA (2) – 1 unit (win)/2 units (place)

OVERVIEW: LITTLE MISS VALLEY (2) ran OK last start, running home into second when favourite at Kilmore. Prior to that, she was competing in the Vicbred Super Series. She is talented and looks well placed in this race. She has the best sectional times in this field. BOUTIKA (3) is in great form and full of confidence. She has great speed and can be threatening when saved for one run. SAMMY HALLER (6) is a competitive trotter coming out of the Vicbred Super Series, where he performed alongside some talented trotters. This is a suitable race. CALABASAS (1) let down nicely last start at Melton behind Coltrane. She is getting better with every start, and barrier one suits.

OVERVIEW: LOVEMETO (4) is one of the best trotters in the state, and this year he seems to have regained his absolute best form. He is so strong and can make his own luck. IMPERIAL MONARCH (5) is the recent winner of the Geelong Trotters Cup. He’s very fast and a classy type. If he can map well here, he’s a big threat. IM BOBBY (7) is one of Victoria’s favourite trotters in the free-for-all ranks. He was competitive through the Inter Dominion earlier this year and will now be second-up here. He will improve from his solid first-up effort in the Bill Collins Sprint. HOPPY (1) is an exciting trotter on the rise. He recently reached free-for-all grade, where he’s been competitive. He has a brilliant turn of foot and a good barrier here.

BACK: LOVEMETO (4) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: MAORIS MAC (9) is a top-quality mare from the strong Keayang Zahara/Jilliby Ballerini age group. As a young horse, she was always competitive at the top level. She has recently had some time off and is making her comeback. Last start, she was good at Melton. She should be closer to peak fitness here, and barrier nine suits. KEAYANG KURKI (10) is a Group 1 winner. She may not be quite at her absolute best, but she will run a good race here if she trots throughout. She has brilliant point-to-point speed. IRON WOMEN (8) was a fantastic winner last start at Melton when she held the front. She ran 1:55.7 for the 1720m. She is racing well enough to win this race, but the barrier stings and she will need some luck. ALDEBARAN SUSANNE (7) is a high-speed mare with brilliant gate speed. She may opt to head forward, but she will need some luck here.

BACK: MAORIS MAC (9) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: What a brilliant edition of this year’s Redwood Classic. VERBICI (6) is a sensational, unbeaten colt for Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar who has won multiple feature races. The world is his oyster at the moment, and we are yet to see his ceiling. He trialled on Tuesday, where he experienced stand-start conditions for the first time and got away well. REGAL GALA (1) is a very talented trotter and looks the main threat to Verbici. He won the Prelude to this race two weeks ago and trotted well. He has been safe in his stand-start experience. PHOENIX REX (5) looked back to his best last start with a good victory at Melton. He has won in stand-start conditions in a trial earlier in his career and comes here off a dazzling victory in the QLD Triad in August. MAJARO GIRL (8) is a smart trotter for Kate and Andy Gath. She’s been competitive at the top level of her age group. Her biggest issue is that she is a higher risk with her manners, and she will need a bit of luck. She galloped under pressure two starts ago in the Prelude to this event.

OVERVIEW: LOCKSLEY CAVALIER (4) is a talented, lightly raced trotter. He was second last start when second-up, running home nicely behind Kennys Son at Melton. He will improve from that run with added fitness. At his best, he’s a nice horse who wasn’t far off the best of his age group in previous years. EL TORNADO (2) is a nice performer who shows his talent when he puts it all together. He has good gate speed and could find the front early here. The risk is his manners. HAY JET (7) returned last start after more than two years on the sidelines. He would have needed the run, but he let down nicely and looked strong to the line in a nice field at Melton. AGAINST THE BRIDLE (10) is in career-best form but got it wrong with his manners last start. He does need to make his own luck from the barrier, but he has the confidence that comes with good form.

OVERVIEW: This is a brilliant edition of this year’s Victoria Trotters Derby. It’s very hard to narrow this down to only four horses. HOWDY MATE (7) is a multi-feature race winner and runner-up. He is getting stronger and more settled with each start. He’s a talent. THE PREACHER (12) was a last-start winner of the Scotch Notch 3yo Trotting Race at Melton. He’s a talented type, he’s fast and he’s one of the best horses in his age group. IJUSTCANTSEEIT (3) is the last-start Group 1 Victoria Oaks winner. She’s backing up here to take on the boys, and the girls have a great record against the boys in this race in recent years. UNCLAD (13) is one of the best horses in his age group. He’s won some really good races at the top level recently. The barrier is difficult, but he’s always running home well.

OVERVIEW: CARLA PIXIE (4) is having her second start since returning from a short campaign in South Australia. She has the equal-best sectional times with MEADOW VALLEY STAR (12), who should be able to map ahead of her key rival. Meadow Valley Star would not have surprised me if he had popped up in the fields for the Trotting Cup today. He is a smart horse at his best. His biggest issue is his manners. If he can trot throughout here, he is a massive threat. KEAYANG GYPSY (6) may not have the best numerical form, but all her recent runs have been good. She has a nice amount of ability and can perform well in a race like this. TICTOK (1) is the flashy chestnut who rarely runs a bad race. She has the ace barrier and a fantastic turn of foot. She just needs to trot throughout.

OVERVIEW: CENTURION DREAM (2) is a smart mare who looks to have found her best form recently. She led the way in a nice field last start and was only narrowly beaten by a nose late. If she can find the fence, she will be hard to beat. QUIRKY CHARACTER (11) rose to the top really quickly and ended up competing in free-for-all races earlier this year. He is now finding a more suitable grade. This is a tough barrier, but he has the class when he is at his best. NAKEDTRUTH (4) is a smart trotter who ticked over $100,000 in prize money last start. He rarely runs a bad race. He is a fast horse and suits leading or coming with one run. KARBINE (8) is a reliable, smart trotter. He will need luck from the barrier but rarely runs a bad race.