OVERVIEW: A great race to kick off the card and ALOT LIKE LOUIE (9) won’t know himself against this sort of company, having been taking on A-grade opposition at Melton where his only failings have come from tough draws. He now punches through off a fast front line to be put into the race strongly at the right time. HOT DEAL (12) has built a terrific record over his career and despite being off the back row here, his provincial form is hard to ignore. TRIPLE ROCK SAINT (7) has been in a purple patch of form but will be forced to do it tough from the wide draw, while MERRYWOOD PAUL (1) is well up in class but his early speed to potentially lead is an advantage at this track.

BACK: ALOT LIKE LOUIE (9) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: Another quality field with plenty in form. MIKI B (11) showed nice ability in his two NZ runs, including a win and a respectable third in a good-quality race at Mildura. He’s won a trial in solid time leading into this and although the draw is no luxury, there’s plenty under the bonnet. WIKED MITZI (8) also must overcome a tricky draw but is simply flying at the moment and if they overcook things up front she can be strong with the right luck. FOXY TWO GLOVES (5) is a very quick beginner and if she can cross to the pegs will take plenty of running down. CLEAR LEFT (4) can be a little hard to catch, but if he maps okay can be in the finish.

OVERVIEW: HIGH ACHIEVER (1) met good support on debut in the Young Guns Series where she was able to lead comfortably from a wider draw, so the pole position is a big plus here over the short trip. She was never left alone in front and stuck to the task well, so with added fitness she’ll be hard to beat. SWEET MARION (8) looks to get leaders back here, a position she ran a good second from three starts ago. BETTERBWATCHING (2) comes through the same lead-up as HIGH ACHIEVER and was finding the line okay from the back row. COLMAN SIGN (9) has a strong SP profile and has been costly but gets a soft trail.

BACK: HIGH ACHIEVER (1) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: IM BUTTER BLUE (9) is knocking on the door for a win and drops back in class here after two solid efforts at Melton. Granted she can’t use her gate speed, but she should punch through and not be too far off them. SKADI (1) hasn’t seen the pole for a while, but when she has, she’s mapped handy and run well. MY BELLA (4) needs to cross and lead to be a winning hope, something she did four runs back at this track. RONZEL MICKEY (8) will need luck from the draw but is in the right form if the breaks come.

OVERVIEW: HESASTAR (6) is a speedy beginner, but there’s plenty of tempo underneath him so the start will be important. He’s been racing better company than what he faces here and with any luck will be hard to beat. BRAVE ART (4) will also be looking to cross to the pegs early. Her maiden win was quite good when finding the front. NO EMOTION (5) is normally thereabouts in this grade and is another dependent on map and tempo. MAXBECA (10) has been run off his legs this prep when up in class but finds a more suitable assignment here to improve.

OVERVIEW: An all-female drivers race and Donna Castles will love the set-up for her mare MUSSEL SHOALS (4), who is a completely different horse when able to find the lead, which she can do here. YANKEE CAPTAIN (1) can find leaders back from this draw and gets a chance to improve after lacking good draws for some time. LEWIELEWIS (9) broke through for a deserved win last start, ran good time and is suited by the trailing draw. CHAMPAGNE WALSH (5) has been in good form recently, with his best effort coming last start, but the draw makes it tricky.

BACK: MUSSEL SHOALS (4) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: OUR MASTER PLAY (9) could be the beneficiary of a quick front row with a lot of pressure on for him to work into the race at the right time. IM ALRIGHT JACK (3) is a quick beginner who always looks for the top and gets a more favourable draw to do so, but is unplaced this track. CRESCO THREEPEAT (5) is a grinding type who will have to do plenty of work but has won here. CHEERS POVERTY (13) doesn’t get any favours with draw but is going ok.

OVERVIEW: CASTLES IN THE SKY (1) produced a career-best win three runs back at Horsham at big odds, backed it up with a solid placing, then got it wrong last time. She can kick up and lead over the short trip. DONA AMALIA (8) will trail her through and although she hasn’t won for a while, her best is good enough to finish strongly. WAIKARE ADRIENNA (9) broke last time but her prior form for the new stable was sound. SKY LINDY (3) has a stable change and stays under notice.

BACK: CASTLES IN THE SKY (1) – 1 unit (win)

OVERVIEW: A very tough race to finish. DIAMOND CRUSHER (2) looks likely to lead and hand up to IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (4) who, on exposed form, is clearly the best horse despite not winning for over two years. This looks her best chance to break through. OHHEMMJAY CRESCO (8) will watch it unfold in front of him and look to grind into the race late. LILNOVA (1) gets a soft trailing draw to be in the finish but is another who hasn’t won for a long time.

BACK: IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (4) – 2 units (win)