OVERVIEW: SOLS ME NAME (4) is first up since tiring in the Vicbred Super Series Semi-Final in September. While it was a Group 1 series against the best horses in his age group, he did appear below his best in that performance. He was a good third in his heat the week prior. He is a classy horse at his best, remains lightly raced and has won two recent trials. BANJO STAR (2) is racing better than his numerical form suggests. He got too wide and too far back last start, making it difficult to make up ground. His previous effort was a smart fourth at Wagga in good time. MISTER HUNTER (9) is one of the best horses in this race on ability. He has 11 starts for six wins, including a Group 1 success in the APG Gold Bullion as a two-year-old in 2023. However, he hasn't raced since June 2024, and that was his only start since May 2023. He has had just two recent trials, making this a massive ask. First up after 865 days and now competing outside aged-group racing, he will need to be very sharp to win. DELIGHTFUL MIKI (1) is a smart, lightly raced mare who gets the ace barrier and the opportunity to use it to her advantage. Also strongly respecting ALOT LIKE JEANNIE (8), who has been racing at the top level among the three-year-old fillies this season. She won a Vicbred Super Series heat and possesses a brilliant turn of foot. She will need some luck from the barrier.

BACK: SOLS ME NAME (4) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: This race is full of progressive horses, making it a very competitive event. MASTER LOUEY (10) is a smart colt who rarely runs a bad race. He put together some really nice performances before winning well last start after leading at Ballarat. This assignment will be harder, as he is unlikely to find the front and will be racing over the short trip. However, he has the class to be competitive. STORM VENDETTA (6) contested the same race won by Master Louey last start but was too far back and wide to make up the ground. He defeated MASTER LOUEY (10) three starts ago at Ballarat, coming off his back to run past him. He has a great turn of foot, although the barrier makes things tricky. TOORAM DANNY (9) flashed home strongly at Echuca last start and was only narrowly defeated. He rarely runs a bad race and should get a good trip, following through early into the running line. SIR NIPPA (3) is first up back in Victoria following a campaign in Tasmania and could appreciate the change of scenery. HOLLOW LOG (4), METRO MEMORY (5), SAVANNAH BREEZE (7) and CHAINSMOKE (11) are all capable of featuring with the right luck in what looks a very even field.

OVERVIEW: TALISKER SKIPPER (11) is in good form after winning well at Kilmore last start when leading. He will need to make his own luck from barrier 11 here, but his best sectional times are around two seconds quicker than the rest of this field. ARTY MCFLY (3) is a two-year-old having his fourth career start. He is first up here after finishing fifth in the $100,000 APG Final last start. This is his first attempt outside two-year-old racing. HALF PRICE BRIDE (9) was too wide and too far back to make up the ground at Echuca last start. She has been a little unlucky recently but finds an opportunity to turn her form around if she can map well. THE IRISHMAN (1) is a horse who isn't afraid to do some work in his races. He is racing well and gets the ace barrier, which he can use to his advantage.  Also respecting CHEEZ (8), who is first up for new trainer Tasmyn Potter.

OVERVIEW: DANCE FIGHTER (7) was a dominant winner at Maryborough last start when leading. It was a slowly run race, but she let down nicely and got the job done. She has been racing well and comes into this with winning confidence. This assignment will be tougher from the barrier. OLIVER SMUDGE (3) was eye-catching when returning with a win last start after three years on the sidelines. He galloped early, caught the field, made his move around them and was too good when letting down late. He will improve again with fitness, but his manners remain a big risk. SHINELIKETHESUN (5) is the best swooper in this field on the clock. If she is close enough, she is good enough, but she comes with some risk after galloping at her last four starts. ELARIA (1) is having her third career start. She finished third on debut at Maryborough, doing everything right and running safely to the line. She galloped last start, although it appeared she may have suffered some interference that caused her to break stride. She recovered and ran on reasonably well. She should produce an improved performance here with added fitness.

OVERVIEW: WIND STORM (8) was an impressive first-up winner at Maryborough last start, racing away to score by 21.9 metres. She has the best sectional times in this field, but will need to overcome the tricky barrier eight. FRANKS ALOT (2) is an interesting trotter. He raced in the breeze to finish a good second on debut, then followed that up with a dominant win at Maryborough before getting it wrong with his manners last start. If he can trot throughout and get forward, he will be a big threat. BIRMINGHAM GIRL (1) was good on debut when finishing third but got it wrong with her manners at Kilmore last start. She will need to trot throughout here. BIG RAIN (5) is a well-mannered trotter who is always competitive. With the right run and some luck, she can capitalise.

BACK: WIND STORM (8) –2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: BUILDTHEMANASTATUE (1) returns from a short campaign in Tasmania. He had a tough run but still finished fifth in the $75,000 Dandy Patch Final at Hobart last start after winning his heat. He is a classy runner, but faces the challenge of being a two-year-old competing against older horses. Barrier one certainly suits. BEAU BECA (2) led and battled on well for second at Kilmore last start. He is racing okay and should map well here. ARTIST (6) has been racing reasonably well, although he can be a little inconsistent. He finished fifth last start after racing in the breeze. Barrier six makes things tricky, but at his best he is a winning chance. BONA KHAN (3) is a fast horse who can be effective whether saved for one run or using his gate speed. If he gets some luck here, he cannot be forgotten.

BACK: BUILDTHEMANASTATUE (1) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: This looks a very even maiden with plenty of chances. Any horse in this field could win, and it wouldn't come as a surprise. EVA EXPRESS (7) has been racing okay. She led and took a sit at Kilmore last start before running home well to be beaten by a neck. She faces a more challenging barrier here, but should continue to improve, with this being just her fifth career start. SPOT THE DEVIL (1) flashed home nicely to finish third in the same race last start. He gets a change of luck here with barrier one, a draw he has had only once previously in his 48 career starts. ITS JUST RUBY (2) looked physically outstanding at Kilmore last start. I was on track before the race and she really caught my eye. She also performed better than the market suggested. She was shuffled back to last but ran home well, and gets a much better barrier here. She has the gate speed to make use of the draw and could be an improver in this event. DYGANALI (6) has been racing okay and looks ready to break through for his maiden victory. Barrier six is the main challenge.

BACK: ITS JUST RUBY (2) – 1 unit (win)/ 2 units (place)

OVERVIEW: UNCLE TREV (6) has been racing regularly at Shepparton and Wagga recently and gets his first look at Melton here. He is a smart horse who rarely runs a bad race and has the best sectional times in this event. The barrier makes things difficult, but his class should shine through. SPRINGFIELD RIVER (5) is a progressive pacer who I believe we haven't seen the best of yet. He was a good second last start in a tough race, chasing runaway leaders and letting down nicely. The barrier is awkward here, but he is racing well. SPEEDY HEALEY (3) rarely runs a bad race and is always capable of letting down nicely when he gets a good trip. THEROUX (2) was inconvenienced last start when dragged back, but still managed to let down reasonably well. He is racing well and should map positively here.