OVERVIEW: KEAYANG GUCCI (6) was resuming since October when a game second behind Remus Phoenix in a mile rate of 1.56.6 on September 06. She is a quality mare and should be fitter from her first up performance so she is capable of going one better now. IMPERIAL COMMAND (7) is a fast beginner and is likely to obtain a forward position despite the wide draw. He led out then took cover when third behind the smart mare Lady Vici last week and he should be competitive again. KINGS GUARD (9) was left stranded on the outside of the leader throughout when a handy fifth last week. He is better than his numerical form suggests and rates as a value hope. KYVALLEY MAVEN (5), OUR MARVELLA (10) and MERCENARY (11) are all racing well enough to feature prominently in a quality race to commence the program.

EARLY SPEED: 7 (likely leader), 1,3,4

RATINGS: 6/ 7/ 5,9,10,11/ 3,9/ 12

OVERVIEW: CALEXICO (4) performed extremely well at the trials prior to a creditable fourth behind Forty Love at Melton. He is much better drawn for this assignment and his overall form is strong so he should prove hard to beat. MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (2) began fast and was looking for the lead but broke stride shortly after the start and lost his chance last week. He is a good chance of finding the lead from his handy draw here and he will take catching. JACCKA CONNOR (1) finished very quickly via the sprint lane when an eye-catching fourth two weeks ago. He failed to run on as expected when seventh last week but he is ideally drawn to suit his racing pattern so he rates as a value hope. NO NOTTHEBUTTONS (8) returns from a South Australian campaign and has the ability to show up if he gains the right luck in running. ALOT LIKE LOUIE (10) met a very strong field when unplaced behind Some American last outing. He boasts very consistent form and must be considered as a winning chance.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3,4,6

RATINGS: 4/ 2/ 1,8,10/ 9

OVERVIEW: SWEETNIKKILOU (3) is resuming since a fourth at Group 1 level behind the outstanding mare Eye Keep Smiling back in May. She will be fitter after a recent trial second behind LITTLE LOUIE (1) at Stawell and she should be competitive first up. LOUIE LOU I (5) continues to race consistently and deserves to break through for a win. He did a big job to come from last to finish in third last week and he is very versatile. LOOK LIKE DIAMONDS (4) is racing in peak form and should be competitive again. She progressed forward to race without cover and was too strong for Stormryder in a mile rate of 1.54.9 last outing. RAGING WHITEBAIT (2) performed extremely well at a recent Melton trial performance and has claims along with SIR JIMMY (7) and ULTIMATE VINNIE (9).

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 3,4,7

RATINGS: 3/ 4,5/ 7,9/ 2/ 8/ 1,6

OVERVIEW: FORTY LOVE (5) is a quality colt, which is shooting for a winning hat trick. He sustained a strong run in the final circuit when he scored in very fast time at Melton last week so he is capable of completing the task. SOME AMERICAN (9) performed below expectations when seventh at Melton last outing but he is a proven Group One winner and he recorded fast time at a Melton victory two starts ago so he is worth another chance. SURFINGMAKESCENTS (2) drew awkwardly and settled in the second half of the field before angling wide on the track and finishing off solidly for second behind Thestatesman last outing. She has returned from a long spell in fine form and is worth an investment. LE BELLE BIJOUX (1) is an honest mare that is racing better than her form reads and has claims from the pole position.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,5,6,7

RATINGS: 5,9/ 2/ 1,6,8/ 7

OVERVIEW: VINEY (8) is awkwardly drawn but he continues to build on his strong record and appears to be the horse to beat again. He pushed forward to race without cover and kicked on strongly for a big win at Melton last outing. PLAINS IN HEAVEN (7) will need luck from the wide draw but he is nearing a win against this class. He was held up for a run at a vital stage and finished off fast for second behind Cigano two starts ago then attempted to sustain a long run when fourth behind Thestatesman last outing. CURYO GENTLEMAN (3) appeared to have every chance after setting the speed last outing but his form prior was strong so he is worth another chance. JOELITA (1) returns to Victoria after a stint in New South Wales and South Australia. She is a speedy mare and has claims along with FRUGAL FARE (4) and EARL OF PEMBROKE (5).

EARLY SPEED: 3 (likely leader), 1,4

RATINGS: 8/ 7/ 3,4,5/ 1/ 9

OVERVIEW: RUFF NUT (4) followed successive Melton victories prior to a close third behind Forty Love, where he led and set up a hectic speed. He is a tough 3yo pacer and should prove hard to beat again. HEZA PUNK ROCKER (7) won the Super Series Final last season so he has the class to test this field if he is somewhere near his peak. His only start since March was a second at Melton on June 20 so he lacks recent racing but he is too good to dismiss. CROCODILE SOCKS (8) is resuming since a victory at Melton in July but he won a trial at Bendigo on Monday night. He tends to perform best when he is able to lead so being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but he still looms as one of the leading chances. STRAPPING RED (1) is perfectly drawn to suit his racing pattern and has place claims along with ALL DA RAGE (5) and MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (6).

EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 1,5,7

RATINGS: 4,7/ 8/ 1/ 5,6

OVERVIEW: MEADOW VALLEY STAR (4) has returned from a spell in peak form with a strong second behind Dichotomy followed by comfortable victory under the standing start conditions at Bendigo. He is a tough trotter and looms as one of the leading chances again. RINGER WELLS (6) pushed forward to find the lead and raced well clear over the concluding stages to win easily at Kilmore last outing. This is a race of more depth but he should be getting fitter and is capable of taking the next step forward. GEE CEE CALDER (8) has had a few chances recently but he ran a cracking race when taking on the open class performers last week, where he led from the standing start and finished in fourth behind I’m Bobby. This race is easier so he is not without a chance. ROCKY VALLEY (7) was resuming since May when he stormed home to win at Maryborough. He is poorly drawn but is worth thought again.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,6,7

RATINGS: 4,6/ 7,8/ 1/ 2

OVERVIEW: LETSSTARTINHEAVEN (6) was resuming since June when he brilliantly won the Tatlow Stakes at Melton. This is a very similar field and he has been strong throughout the season so he is clearly the horse to beat again. KITZBUHEL DELIGHT (5) won the Nutrien Classic earlier in the season and looms as the main threat. He was beaten by a large margin behind LETSSTARTINHEAVEN (6) at their last meeting but he is capable of an improved showing. VIVID DREAM (7) defeated the Maiden class at Geelong but he was very impressive. He gave the leaders a big start and produced a powerful finishing burst so he must be respected. SECRET SERVICE AGENT (2) finished off stylishly for fourth at his latest attempt and has claims along with the debutante BETTOR PUNTER (1), which has shown ability at the trials.

EARLY SPEED: 6 (likely leader), 4

RATINGS: 6/ 5/ 7/ 1,2

OVERVIEW: JILLIBY BALLERINI (7) is racing in outstanding form having won seven of her nine starts for the season. She pushed forward to find the lead and was always in control when she recorded in a mile rate of 1.55.4 at her latest attempt so she is clearly the horse to beat again. ALDEBARAN VERA (3) has been safely held by JILLIBY BALLERINI (7) several times recently but she is maintaining a very consistent form line having been placed at her past six starts. She possesses early speed and should go well again. MAORIS MAC (5) galloped away from the standing start and produced an enormous performance to finish as close as she did when fifth behind I’m Bobby last week. She defeated Violet Stanford at a Melton victory three starts ago so she looms as one of the leading chances. PINNIE (4) is resuming since June but was an easy trial winner at Melton last week and is drawn to give a forward showing.

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 2,4,

RATINGS: 7/ 3,5/ 4/ 6/ 2/ 1