OVERVIEW: NOELS GIFT (2) finished off well when third on debut then followed with an unplaced effort against much stronger opposition at Charlton. He is nicely drawn and strikes a very suitable race here. AXIS ANGEL (4) is a first starter for trainer Steven Branson, which hasn’t been to the trials since a seventh at Shepparton in May but must be kept safe. DIVINE STAR (3) is yet to be placed in five starts to date but she is nicely drawn and gets her chance to improve against this opposition. LIGHT UP THE SKY (5) was beaten by a long way at her Mildura debut but she is capable of better. LIVELY JOE (8) was placed three times at Mildura in September so he has the ability to show up prominently against this opposition.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 1,4?

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

OVERVIEW: HELLAVA DEAL (3) is a nicely bred first starter for trainer Aaron Dunn, which has performed nicely at the trials with second runner up performances, the latest being behind Banjo Star at Melton. She strikes a suitable race for her debut and is sure to be strongly fancied. ZAPPA (4) is another debutante, which has shown some promise at the trials with his latest effort being a third behind Rocknroll Willow at Ararat so he is not without a chance. THE NINJA (2) is a South Australian trained pacer, which possesses gate speed and is drawn to be prominent throughout. He was runner up twice at Port Pirie before finishing unplaced in the Lordship Stakes at Globe Derby on Saturday night. INDIANAS SON (5) and DESTINY KEPT (8) are both capable of showing up without surprising.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 3

RATINGS: 3/ 2,4/ 5/ 8/ 9

OVERVIEW: MY ULTIMATE JIMMY (7) couldn’t have drawn any worse but he has been exceptionally good recently and is the class runner of the field. He ran a great race for a close second in the South Australian Derby then recorded a sensational mile rate of 1.54.8 at his latest Mildura victory. ALWAYS THE SHOWMAN (3) is a fast beginner and should give a forward showing. He raced without cover throughout and scored at Kilmore last outing and he has scored twice at Mildura previously. RIO ROCK (9) has been competitive against the open class at Mildura recently and the slight drop back in class for this assignment will be an advantage. She did things wrong in the early stages but was still able to finish third behind Earl of Pembroke last week. WIPEOUT (5) is a speedy former New South Wales pacer, which joins trainer Boris Devcic and is worth thought along with CEMETERY BAY (8).

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible leader), 1,5

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

OVERVIEW: RONZEL SONNY (9) broke stride in the score up and couldn’t recover when unplaced at Globe Derby last outing. He finished off well for third behind Love To Deal at Mildura prior and he should be very competitive against this line up if he delivers a fool proof display. GRENADE (3) hasn’t been at his best form in three starts since August but he should be getting fitter and he appears to be well placed against this line up. THE TOOTH FAIRY (2) led and was run down last week but she is drawn to adopt her favourite role of being the pacemaker again so she is a possible improver. NEVS DREAM (8) and KEAYANG CRIPPA (10) both should be finding the line well under these conditions.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (likely leader), 3

RATINGS: 9/ 3/ 2,8,10/ FIELD

OVERVIEW: HESASTAR (4) was driven aggressively and battled on well for third behind She’s Poppy last week. He is usually competitive against this class and has claims in an open betting event. CHEERS POVERTY (5) is a fast beginner and performs best when he is close to the lead. He was runner up four times in succession in September/October and he had little luck after commencing from the second line last week so he must be considered as a winning chance. SNEAKY PHILTRA (7) charged to the lead in the early stages and set up a reasonable tempo at her latest Ararat third. She is a versatile mare and is racing well enough to figure in the finish but the awkward barrier draw is the concern. The South Australian trained pacers LOVE TO DEAL (8) and THE LADYBIRD (9) are both racing well enough to warrant consideration. NEDS BEACH (1) is a value hope from the pole position.  

EARLY SPEED: 4 (possible leader), 1,3,5

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

OVERVIEW: WATCHING OVER US (4) is a former New South Wales trained pacer, which ran to the front around the first turn and attempted to lead throughout when third behind Glenline at Kilmore. He ran a reasonable race first up for trainer Vince Vallelonga and is worth thought for his Mildura debut. CRUZ WITH ROME (2) is a fast beginner and performs best when he is close to the lead so he is perfectly drawn to suit his racing pattern. He battled on fairly well for fourth behind Chogi in fast time at his latest performance. CALF PEN (10) was held up for a run at a vital stage before storming home at the end when an unlucky second behind She’s Poppy at Mildura last outing. He will be giving his main rivals a start from his poor draw but he is racing too well to dismiss. WATCHTHECLOCK (7) is awkwardly drawn but was a strong winner at Mildura two starts ago and is not without a chance.

EARLY SPEED: 2 (possible leader), 4

RATINGS: 4/ 2,10/ 7/ 8,9/ 1,5

OVERVIEW: EMMA ROX (1) produced a career best performance when she parked without cover and dominated her rivals at her first run for trainer Alex Ashwood. She is perfectly drawn over the sprint distance and is a good chance of leading throughout. CELESTIAL NEBULAE (3) settled down at the rear of the field, angled out very wide on the home turn and produced a big finish when a close second behind Random Mahoney at Mildura last outing. This race is of similar standard and he should go well again. LOYOLA SPIAGGIA (8) has been placed in both of his runs for trainer Boris Devcic and should be competitive again. He gained a nice trail and ran into a distant second behind Fiano at Mildura last time out. BETTOR DOO (7) has the perfect trailing draw behind EMMA ROX (1) and is a value place hope.

EARLY SPEED: 1 (likely leader), 3,5

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

OVERVIEW: RONZEL MICKY (12) has won three of her past four starts and should prove hard to beat again. She began brilliantly to lead from the outside of the front line when she scored two weeks ago then sprinted home nicely from off the speed at her latest attempt. LESTER (6) progressed forward from a similar wide draw to find the lead and was run down in the last stride in his heat performance. He boasts a very handy record on the Mildura circuit and should be competitive again. ROBERT CROCKA (3) went to the line jogging with no clear run and was very unlucky when third behind CORNELIA (4) in his heat. He is suited to racing over the sprint distance and is worth a ticket each way. CORNELIA (4) won a heat of this series last week so she must be respected. EGBERT (9) and APOLOGY ACCEPTED (11) both went well enough last week to warrant consideration.

EARLY SPEED: 3 (possible early leader), 1,5,6

RATINGS: 12/ 6/ 3,4,11/ 9

OVERVIEW: WAZOWSKI (7) is a consistent filly, which has performed well in two Victorian attempts to date and is worth following. She has the perfect trailing draw behind her stable mate RIVEERA (1) so she should gain an economical run throughout. RIVEERA (1) worked home well for third at Shepparton then was again doing her best work at the finish when fifth behind Always The Showman. She is working back into form and will appreciate her best draw for some time so she must be respected. ANGELS WATCHING (3) had no luck early and was able to weave a passage through the pack when second behind CARLISLE CRUISER (12) last week. He has ability and rates as a value hope. ARCHIE MOTH (8) is resuming since September but is worth thought along with CARLISLE CRUISER (12), which drops back to the second line after his dominant front running display last week.

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

RATINGS: 7/ 1/ 3,8,12/ 11/ 2/ FIELD