OVERVIEW: IAMAWINGATE (9) settled in the second half of the field and sustained a long run from the 700m when a game second behind Freak Out at Melton last outing. He tends to perform best at Shepparton having won nine races on the track and he is the horse to beat from his trailing draw. MISS HERMES (8) raced without cover throughout and fought on strongly when a close third behind WHERES WOOD WOOD (10) at Shepparton last week. She is awkwardly drawn but should be competitive again. WHERES WOOD WOOD (10) has been able to lead throughout at her past two victories. She drops back to the second line now but this race is no harder so she is worth thought again. MAJOR MAURIE (5) and THE LADYBIRD (7) are both worth thought in multiple combinations. 

OVERVIEW: CATIES SON (3) gets into this race nicely with a concession claim and is racing well enough to feature prominently. He had little luck when sixth at Wagga last time out and was placed against stronger opposition at Kilmore prior. BET SHEZA LADY (4) worked forward at the start, eventually gained cover and produced a good performance to win at Wagga three starts ago. She was finding the line nicely when fourth at Shepparton last outing and looms as one of the leading chances again. MAURLEN COMPASS (6) is resuming since a fourth at Ballarat in May and she hasn’t been to the trials but she has the ability to test this field. She won in a mile rate of 1.57.7 when she scored at Melton in April. SWEET LOUANNE (5) was resuming since October when fifth at Wagga. She appeared to have her chance first up but she should strip fitter and her form last season was good enough to suggest she is capable of better.  

OVERVIEW: JILLIBY TOPGUN (6) won twice in succession prior to a fourth at Echuca, where he raced without cover and battled on fairly well in track record time. He is racing in peak form and is capable of returning to winning form now. KALARNEY PRINCE (4) began well and was shuffled back in the field mid-race when a good winner against similar grade at Shepparton last week. He should gain a prominent position from his good draw and is worth thought again. STARLIGHT RED (3) is a brilliant beginner and attempted to lead throughout when third last week. She has been placed at her past seven starts and should run her usual honest race. DONA AMALIA (7) made a mid-race move to park without cover from the 1100m when a brave second at Kilmore last outing. That was her best effort in three starts since resuming and a repeat performance would see her go close to winning.

OVERVIEW: REBEL REBEL (9) is a nicely bred filly, which has been performing well at the trials. She powered along the sprint lane to win over Muddy at her latest Shepparton trial success and she is likely to be strongly fancied. MAJOR FRIEND (1) finished third behind Scarlett Night at a Shepparton trial performance and followed with a close up third behind Aruval at Melton on Wednesday night. She is perfectly drawn and this race is no harder so she warrants respect. DEMARTINO (6) was placed in three successive trial performances prior to a debut fourth, where she finished off okay from a rearward position. She has ability and must be included amongst the leading chances. ESTHERS BEST (8) began quickly and found the lead shortly after the start when fourth on debut. She should have benefited from the experience and is not without a chance.

BACK: REBEL REBEL (9) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: KING SAINT (6) dropped back to a rearward position and made a move from the 600m when a fast finishing second behind Nugget Rogers at Melton on Wednesday night. He possesses early speed and has been racing well at a high level so he is worth an investment. MICHEN ROY (8) has been freshened since a seventh behind Major Blitz in the Winter Series Final at Melton last outing. He is a strong type and was a winner in fast time at Bendigo three starts ago so he must be respected. ROLLONART (4) was a winner at Wagga in early June and finished off well from a nice trail when third behind Keayang Dreamgirl last outing. She is a speedy mare and should be competitive under these conditions. HES CHARLIES ANGEL (5) is resuming since a tenth at Penrith in early May and returns to trainer Charlene Gusman. He hasn’t been to the trials but he has the class to test this field.

BACK: KING SAINT (6) – 3 units (win)  

OVERVIEW: SPIRITED GIGI (6) is a swift beginner and is a good chance of finding the lead despite the wide draw. He finished second behind Sebastians Waiting at Bendigo on June 24, which is a strong form pointer for this event. HOLD THAT MAGIC (7) is resuming since a third at Bendigo in January and hasn’t been to the trials but she will be competitive if she is somewhere near her peak. She was placed in four of her last five starts at the end of her last preparation. LOVE ME AGAIN (4) settled in the second half of the field and picked up some ground when fifth in a stronger race at Maryborough last outing. He also finished off well when fourth at Kilmore prior so he is not without a chance. JUST ME AND YOU (5) was headed off early, moved around to find the lead at the 1700m and held on to win at Kilmore last outing. He was in with a chance but broke stride on the home turn when unplaced prior so he is a winning hope if he produces another fool proof display.

OVERVIEW: SCARLETT NIGHT (1) is a 3yo filly making her debut and is taking on proven race winners but she must be respected. She is nicely bred and appeared to be very sharp when she scored at a Shepparton trial performance last week. MADAM REACTOR (2) has been headed off at the start from the pole position at her past two attempts but she met a very fast front line each time and she has the gate speed to lob a prominent position here. She led throughout to win at Shepparton on June 09 and is a good chance of being in front for a long way again here. ELIZAJANE (5) settled at the tail of the field and finished off boldly for a close second behind Foregone Conclusion last outing. She appears to be well placed against this line up and is worth an investment. MAJOR HAYLEY (4) has been racing reasonably well in New South Wales and she might find this assignment to be a little easier so she can improve on her numerical form.

BACK: SCARLETT NIGHT – 2 units (wins)

OVERVIEW: MINNIE MIA (1) was placed in a heat of the Breeders Crown last season and is resuming since a seventh in the Homegrown Classic in December. She came from last when a game second at a Melton trial effort last week and she should prove hard to beat under these conditions. PLEASURE TO HAVE (3) is a juvenile colt that is taking on older horses but he was very impressive at his Shepparton trial success last week and appears to have a promising future so he cannot be dismissed. SAMBEZIA (7) was resuming since May when he chased hard and just failed to pick up Just Me And You at Kilmore last outing. He should have improved by that performance and is capable of going one better. ALIZA MEL (4) only had two starts during her last preparation so she lacks solid racing but she did finish fifth in the Nutrien Classic Final last season and her trial form is okay so she is not without a chance.

BACK: PLEASURE TO HAVE (3) – 1 unit (each way)

10-UNIT GAME PLAN