OVERVIEW: Tough way to end the night at Melton, but REASON TO LAUGH (7) gets the nod despite the wide front row draw. Last start at Ballarat, he was trapped three wide for the last lap but actually did a great job to soldier on and only be beaten 7.5m in a slick enough last half for this grade of 57.7sec. The run before that was a well-beaten second to handy rival Talknplay, and there are good wins earlier in the month at Cranbourne and Kilmore through his recent form. ARE WEASLEY (5) is another of the leading contenders after finding the winner’s stall at his last outing at Kilmore when closing off nicely from the one-one for Connor Clarke, there’s a big watch on MAMMALS BLAZE (6) who is now in the care of trainer Joe Pace and won his first trial for the stable at Bacchus Marsh in preparation for this, while GOZO MAJOR (4) and OUR TRUE COLOURS (3) are other hopes in an even contest to close the meeting.

BACK: REASON TO LAUGH (7) – 2 units (win)

10-UNIT GAME PLAN

R3 #6 OUR TINKA BELLE – 2 units (win)

R4 #8 WEONA OUR RIGHTS – 1.5 units (each-way)

R7 #2 BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE – 3 units (win)

R8 #7 REASON TO LAUGH – 2 units (win)

EARLY QUADDIE

2,3,5,6,7,8,10/1,3,4,6,7/6,7,9/1,2,5,8

QUADDIE

2,5,8,9/3,7/2,4,6/4,5,6,7