OVERVIEW: SUZYS DREAM (2) is in flying form, having won two of her last three starts. The run she didn’t win can be forgotten, as she was checked early. When winning last start at Shepparton, she raced in the breeze and was simply too good. She has the best sectional times in this event, but she is surrounded by horses with good gate speed, so the map could be awkward for her. OUR TINKA BELLA (8) is a mare who has had only three career starts and is yet to get it right with her manners under race conditions. She raced in the breeze last start and looked the winner before galloping in the final few strides and being relegated to third. If she trots throughout, she has a motor. CHINSKI (3) has been a bit unlucky recently, being checked at his last two starts. His runs prior were good, however. He has gate speed and experience and should be able to map well here. VAN DOREN (4) doesn’t have great numerical form, but at his best, he has nice ability. He can be slow away and is often saved for one run late. If he can slot in somewhere close enough, he will be right in this. RIPPING RONALDO (10) has a motor and can win this if he trots, but he has galloped in five of his six starts. The one time he stayed trotting, he won.

BACK: SUZYS DREAM (2) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: RIDE HIGH CAPTIN (2) looks to be improving with each start. Last start, he battled on well for third after enjoying a nice run. He can go well here. HEAVENLY NIKKI (9) is always competitive and finishes close in these events. It surprises me that she is still a maiden, and she is a winning chance despite the barrier. DIMITRI (3) is a first starter for Chris Romanidis. He finished second in a recent trial at Geelong behind trotter Calabasas. We will learn more about him here. GOODMORNING MIKI (1) is an interesting runner. She is yet to have things go her way under race conditions, either making mistakes with her manners or being checked by other runners. Her trial form is good, though, and she has the barrier to map positively here. With a change in luck, she can win this.

OVERVIEW: TOUCH OF REALITY (1) made an eye-catching run from last during the third quarter last start before finishing second. If he had been racing on the fence, his converted last quarters would have been 27.73 and 29.23. He has been racing well, has the ace barrier and possesses the gate speed to capitalise here. SEW HOPEFULL (3) looked close to breaking through for her maiden victory last start when battling out the finish with Keayang Maricruz. She has a good turn of foot. BETTER THAN DAICOS (4) over-raced last start and tired at Mildura, so that is a run we can put a line through. The start prior, he led and finished second behind the smart Notguilty. This looks like an easier contest. THATS ME AGAIN (5) rarely puts in a bad run but has recently come up against one or two slightly better horses. She let down nicely last start and is good enough if she is close enough. Also noting DIAMOND CHIPP (6), who has good sectional times heading into this event.

BACK: TOUCH OF REALITY (1) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: OSCAROO (5) is a first starter for Fred Spiteri. He has good trial form and has appeared to be a safe trotter with a will to win. His trials have been run in slow times, so it is difficult to assess him against these trotters. However, we will learn more about him here. ROYAL LADY (1) is having her third career start for top trotting trainer Brent Lilley. She made a mistake with her manners on debut, but last start she battled on well in a field stronger than this one. Barrier one suits. DANCE WITH ROXY (2) has put it all together at her last two starts and has been eye-catching. She has good gate speed, a nice turn of foot and a good record at this track. HEMINGWAY SPECIAL (3) is a first starter for Denis Grieve. He is a full brother to My Ultimate Sunny, who looked to be a star before his career was seemingly cut short. His trials have been at Bacchus Marsh without replays, so it is difficult to gauge his ability. However, he is well bred and trained by Grieve, who is great with trotters.

OVERVIEW: LORIMERMAJOR (1) finds a suitable race and barrier here to get back to his best form. He flashed home nicely from near last last start to finish second behind WHERES WOOD WOOD (8), who is drawn on his back here. WHERES WOOD WOOD (8) will be hoping LORIMERMAJOR (1) can hold the front and provide the perfect trail into the race. He is performing well and is well placed here. MONSIEUR FLAMEL (5) has a nice turn of foot, whether he is saved for one run or uses his gate speed early. The barrier makes things tricky, but he is a winning chance with some luck. SPEEDY HEALEY (4) is a consistent horse who is racing well and has the best sectional times in this field. The barrier is awkward, however.

BACK: LORIMERMAJOR (1) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: ANAKIN (6) is third-up here, so I expect him to be back to peak race fitness. He got fired up in the breeze last start at Kilmore but still battled on well for fourth. The barrier is awkward, but he is a smart type. FOREGONE CONCLUSION (7) got too far back last start but let down reasonably well in a race stronger than this one. He is a versatile, experienced horse who can make his own luck at this grade. BEAU BECA (3) produced an improved run last start, finishing a nice third after flashing home from three-back on the fence. If he gets a good run here, he is right in this. FOUR EVER A STAR (2) returned to the winners’ circle last start after building her fitness following a long time on the sidelines. She now has that winning confidence back. Also respecting JUSTLIKEDAVE (4) if he can find a good position in the race.

BACK: ANAKIN (6) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: TOMMYS LOOKOUT (2) has not been racing at his best, which is reflected in his numerical form. However, he has also had some bad luck and drawn poor barriers. He does have the gate speed, and if he can find the fence here, he is a threat. RIDDLEMETHIS (7) is in flying form this preparation. First-up, he stormed home from last to finish second. Last start, he did all the work and was simply too good. The barrier is a concern, as he will need to make his own luck, but he is racing well enough to win. ARE WEASLEY (5) rarely puts in a bad run, but he is first-up here, which could leave him vulnerable. OPERTSER (4) and MIKI MARK (6) are both racing well but will need to overcome tricky barriers.

OVERVIEW: KRAKEY (7) let down nicely last start but was simply too far back. He is racing well, and this looks like a suitable race for him despite the tricky barrier. He has the best sectional times in this event. TEX GOES BANG (6) and HOME AND DRY (5) have similar form lines heading into this event. Both are horses who consistently run well when they get some luck. GLENLINE (8) is a great swooper. When saved for one run, he is always rattling home late. He is the only horse on the back row, so he will have options to stay or leave the fence.

BACK: KRAKEY (7) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: BETTORLEFTALONE (4) and REFUSAL (3) are two exciting new additions to the Alex Ashwood stable from New South Wales. BETTORLEFTALONE (4) comes out of the Victoria Derby. He tired in the Final after a tough run in a brilliant field, but he finished a good fourth in his heat, defeating some talented horses. He looks well placed here. REFUSAL (3) is a classy mare who rarely puts in a bad run. However, she may be vulnerable first-up since June. WITH IN REASON (7) has a brilliant turn of foot, which he showed in early August when he looped the field to win impressively at Melton. If there is speed on early here, he will be ready to strike late. EMILY VINCENT (2) may find this difficult, but she should be able to map well and has a nice turn of foot. She also has great gate speed if connections choose to use it.