OVERVIEW: The Ross Graham-prepared trotters AT THE DISTANCE (3) and WHATS THE TEA (8) are experienced performers who race well. AT THE DISTANCE (3) does not have the best numerical form on paper, but he has been performing well sectionally or has encountered bad luck. WHATS THE TEA (8) has been good at his past two starts, but he has an awkward barrier to contend with here. He could get the perfect trip if he can hold the back of JESSICAS STORY (1) early, although he can lack gate speed. JESSICAS STORY (1) has great gate speed and performs well when she gets a fence trip. She won from this barrier three starts ago and is racing well. PRO HIBITION (5) can get it wrong with his manners and is sill learning what racing is all about. The times he has trotted well throughout, he’s shown promise.

OVERVIEW: This looks to be a competitive maiden. BUNGY (1) is first up here, beginning his second racing preparation. Before his first career start, he showed a lot of promise at the trials and was then very impressive on debut. After that, his form tapered off a little. He would have appreciated the freshen-up and trialled smartly leading into this run. GOODMORNING MIKI (4) is a well-bred filly on debut. She has had a few good trials and, whatever she does here, will improve from the experience. HEAVENLY FLYER (3) has had four career starts without much luck. Last start she was stuck back in the field, but found some gaps and flashed home impressively for second. MY ULTIMATE MATEO (5) is another first starter in this event. He trialled well recently at Bendigo. In that trial, he raced in the breeze over the final 800 metres and hit the line well for second.

BACK: BUNGY (1) – 2.5 units (win)

OVERVIEW: DEEJAY DEX (11) is a smart trotter, but he is a slow beginner. He is often well back in the field, but flashes home strongly. That is likely to be the case again here, although this looks an easier field than those he has been contesting recently. He is arguably the best horse in this race. On the flip side, the lightly raced DESERT ROYALE (1) has great gate speed, the ace barrier and is suited when out in front. However, he can get his manners wrong. SCAR (4) was brilliant and dominant when racing away to win last start at Ballarat. This race is a bit harder, but he has the winning confidence. KITTY CASH (5) has only missed the placed twice in her career and on both occasions, it was due to manners issues. She is a progressive type.

BACK: DEEJAY DEX (11) – 2.5 units (win)

OVERVIEW: LINE UP JACQUIE (6) is a consistent performer with the best sectional times in this event. She rarely puts in a poor performance. TEX GOES BANG (8) is backing up from a run at Shepparton on Tuesday night. He had to do it tough in his previous run at Bendigo and was only narrowly beaten late. He can make his own luck, although the barrier is a little awkward. TOBYS SHOUT (10) is third up here and will be nearing peak fitness. He is a better horse than his form suggests on paper. At his previous three starts, he either had manners issues or was checked. If he brings his best, he is right in this. TOPZAVSKI (1) lacks high gate speed, but will be on the fence regardless and should be hitting the line well.

BACK: LINE UP JACQUIE (6) – 2.5 units (win)

OVERVIEW: SABIHALIL (9) steps out here with a training change back to Julie Mifsud. She also has quite a few gear changes. Although her numerical form does not look great on paper, her sectional times are better than the rest of this field. From barrier nine, she can settle early and follow through. This is a notable drop in class for her. MADGE EGAN (5) has been racing well, but often finds a few rivals a little sharper up the straight. If the race is run at a solid tempo and they do not sprint home in a fast final quarter, she is a chance. MISS AVENGER (3) had a good trip and hit the line okay for second two starts ago. Last start she got too far back, but still raced reasonably well. She relies on a bit of luck, but is well placed. LAVENGERS BOY (2) can show gate speed at times and has the opportunity to map well from barrier two. He should be fitter now, third up this year.

BACK: SABIHALIL (9) – 2.5 units (win)

OVERVIEW: CLIVES GIRL (6) was unlucky two starts back, but hit the line well after being held up. Last start she placed and again ran home strongly. This is a drop in class and, although she has a tricky barrier, she looks well placed here. HOME AND DRY (3) is a nice performer at his best. He is probably a little below his peak at the moment but should appreciate this field. Last start he was held up late and likely would have finished closer with clear running. MISS HERMES (5) drew barrier 11 last start and was forced to race wide throughout. She covered an extra 36 metres and was beaten only 15.2 metres. She is racing better than her form suggests on paper. FAKE CULLECTION (1) has enough gate speed to map well from barrier one. She is the lowest-rated horse in this field but should be able to capitalise on the favourable race map.

OVERVIEW: There are some nice, progressive trotters in this field. KENNYS SON (5) has won three of his five starts since moving to Victoria. Last start he finished third, defeated by the smart performer Coltrane. Although he has gate speed, so do a few horses drawn inside him, but he’s racing well and full of confidence. THATS MY CARDIGAN (8) got back in the winner’s circle last start at Cranbourne when he rattled home well in good time for the grade. He has only put it all together three times in his career, so he needs to do so again here. Being the only horse on the back row, he has time and space to settle early. IJUSTCANTSEEIT (4) is a talented filly, but she’s still learning to put it all together. She got her manners wrong in the NSW Trotters Oaks two starts back and missed the start slightly last time, but still raced well to finish second. When the penny drops, she’s likely to develop into a mare capable of competing at the top level. KYVALLEY JAGGER (6) seems to have had poor manners or bad luck recently, but he is a nice horse at his best. With luck, he is in this.

OVERVIEW: THEROUX (4) is full of confidence and in career-best form. He has won his last two starts well, coming from well back in the field. He has a brilliant turn of foot when saved for one run. JINDALEA JACK (3) has gate speed and should be able to map well here. Last start he checked and broke, but he was racing strongly in previous runs. TREACHEROUSTIMES (5) has won three of his last five starts when leading. He has great gate speed and, if he can find the fence, he’s right in this again. TALISKER SKIPPER (6) has come back in terrific form this year after nearly two years on the sidelines. He has had five starts since his return for three wins, including his last two. He keeps getting better and better, but this is a tougher race.

OVERVIEW: REVERAND BOB (5) is lightly raced and resumed with a third at Melton last start. He raced roughly at times but will improve with the run and added fitness. James Herbertson takes the reins for the first time. WAR DAN PHOENIX (4) has been racing in tougher fields recently. Last start he choked down in the $125,000 Nutrien Classic Final, but he was competitive the start prior behind the smart Queen Of Sees. He looks well placed here. MISS HOLLY RED (3) has good manners, which is important in a race like this with inexperienced trotters. She has placed in five starts this year and, with luck, is right in this. THE PASO DOBLE (1) is a first starter with a few unknowns surrounding his form. He won a recent trial at Maryborough, albeit in slow time. If he can trot throughout, he should enjoy an ideal fence trip. I also have plenty of respect for the Brent Lilley-trained pair KYVALLEY REEVA (6) and JUST ME AND YOU (2). On trial form they clearly have ability and are both well-bred trotters, but they are yet to trot throughout in race conditions.